Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson enters the run-off election in a strong position with 43.5% of the vote and a first-place finish in a multi-candidate field. With more Democratic Party and progressive organization endorsements as well as broad city and regional support from elected leaders, Vice Mayor Richardson built the coalition needed to mount a successful bid to be Long Beach’s next Mayor. He is well-positioned to continue his momentum to victory in November.
Rex’s Supporter Base Dominates the Field
With 43.45% of the vote, Vice Mayor Rex Richardson finished first in a six-way race for Long Beach Mayor. Since launching his campaign in late December 2021, Vice Mayor Richardson built a broad coalition of support from nearly every corner of Long Beach. In the primary election, Richardson dominated in seven out of Long Beach’s nine council districts. The second-place finisher, Councilmember Suzie Price, only exceeded Richardson’s vote share in two districts, including where she is the sitting city councilmember.
The primary election had a much lower engagement, with only 16% registered voters turning out to vote. Vice Mayor Richardson outperformed expectations with what is likely a more conservative and East Long Beach-based electorate. The general election will be a larger and more Democratic electorate. Furthermore, no Long Beach Mayoral candidate in recent history has finished second and went on to win the general election.
Vice Mayor Rex Richardson has the experience and endorsements that put him on the best path to victory in November.