Rex Richardson

Rex Richardson
Official portrait, 2022
Rex Richardson
Born	18 8, 1983
Birthplace	Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	29th Mayor of Long Beach; first Black mayor of Long Beach
Education	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Spouse(s)	Nina Richardson
Children	2

Rex Richardson (born August 18, 1983) is an American politician serving as the 29th mayor of Long Beach, California, a position he has held since December 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Richardson made history as the first Black mayor in the city's more than 125-year history when he was elected in November 2022. Before ascending to the mayoralty, Richardson served on the Long Beach City Council representing the 9th District from 2014 to 2022 and concurrently held the position of vice mayor from 2016 to 2022. His tenure as mayor has been characterized by ambitious economic development proposals, environmental sustainability initiatives, and efforts to address budgetary challenges confronting one of California's largest cities.

Early Life

Rex Richardson was born on August 18, 1983, at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Details regarding his parents and upbringing on the military installation are limited in publicly available records, though his birth at a U.S. Air Force facility suggests a connection to military service within his family. Richardson eventually relocated to Southern California, where he settled in the North Long Beach community, a neighborhood in the northern portion of the city that has historically been one of its more underserved areas.

Richardson's connection to North Long Beach became a defining element of his political identity. The neighborhood, which encompasses the city's 9th Council District, has long faced challenges related to economic disinvestment, public safety concerns, and environmental justice issues stemming from its proximity to industrial corridors and major freight transportation routes. Richardson's experience living in and raising a family in North Long Beach informed much of his later policy work on the city council and as mayor.

Education

Richardson attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, a public university in the California State University system located in the city of Carson in Los Angeles County. The university, situated in the South Bay region near Long Beach, serves a diverse student population drawn largely from surrounding communities in southern Los Angeles County. Further details regarding Richardson's degree program, year of graduation, or specific academic pursuits at the university are not extensively documented in available sources.

Career

Long Beach City Council (2014–2022)

Richardson began his career in elected office when he joined the Long Beach City Council as the representative for the 9th District on July 15, 2014, succeeding Steven Neal in the seat. The 9th District encompasses North Long Beach, one of the city's most populous and diverse areas. During his time on the council, Richardson focused on issues affecting his district, including economic development, public safety, and community investment in neighborhoods that had historically received less attention from city government.

On July 20, 2016, Richardson was elected by his council colleagues to serve as vice mayor of Long Beach, succeeding Suja Lowenthal in the role. The vice mayor position in Long Beach is selected by a vote of the city council rather than through a citywide election, and it serves as the presiding officer of the council in the mayor's absence. Richardson held the vice mayor position concurrently with his 9th District council seat for more than six years, until his inauguration as mayor in December 2022. He was succeeded as vice mayor by Cindy Allen.

During his tenure on the council, Richardson engaged in national policy discussions. He participated in the My Brother's Keeper summit at the White House, an initiative originally launched by President Barack Obama to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color. Richardson spoke publicly about the personal significance of the initiative and its relevance to communities like North Long Beach.

2022 Mayoral Campaign

In January 2022, Richardson formally announced his candidacy for mayor of Long Beach, seeking to succeed Robert Garcia, who was departing the office to run for the United States House of Representatives. The announcement was also covered by the Los Angeles Sentinel, which noted Richardson's formal entry into the race.

Richardson's campaign attracted significant endorsements from prominent California Democratic officeholders. Governor Gavin Newsom endorsed Richardson for the Long Beach mayoralty in August 2022. The following month, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla also endorsed Richardson's candidacy. In September 2022, outgoing Mayor Robert Garcia formally endorsed Richardson to succeed him as mayor.

In the June 2022 primary election, Richardson advanced as one of the top candidates in the mayoral race. He faced Suzie Price, a fellow Long Beach City Council member, in the November 2022 general election. Richardson prevailed in the general election, securing victory to become the city's 29th mayor. The results were certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Mayor of Long Beach (2022–present)

Richardson was sworn in as the 29th mayor of Long Beach on December 20, 2022, becoming the first Black person to hold the office in the city's history. He succeeded Robert Garcia, who had departed to take his seat in the U.S. Congress.

Budget and Fiscal Policy

One of the central challenges of Richardson's mayoralty has been navigating the city's fiscal landscape. In September 2023, the Long Beach City Council adopted the city's fiscal year 2024 budget, a process in which Richardson played a significant role as mayor. The budget process included consideration of the proposed 2024 spending plan, which was unveiled with input from city leadership.

In his State of the City address in early 2026, Richardson struck an optimistic tone, promising continued growth and reinvention for Long Beach even as the city confronted budgetary headwinds. The address featured a series of announcements positioning the city as being on the cusp of economic transformation.

The administration's fiscal proposals have not been without controversy. In November 2025, a measure associated with the city's revenue efforts was the subject of public debate, with critics characterizing certain tax-related proposals as a challenge to taxpayer protections established under California's Proposition 13 (1978) and Proposition 218 (1996).

West Long Beach Promise and Community Investment

A signature initiative of Richardson's administration has been the West Long Beach Promise, a comprehensive proposal aimed at directing investment and resources to the city's westside neighborhoods. In August 2023, city leaders, including Richardson, publicly discussed the details of the proposal ahead of a budget vote, outlining plans intended to address long-standing disparities in the West Long Beach community. The initiative reflected a broader pattern in Richardson's political career of advocating for investment in historically underserved neighborhoods within Long Beach.

Environmental Sustainability

Richardson's administration has pursued environmental sustainability initiatives, particularly in relation to the city's significant port and freight transportation infrastructure. Long Beach is home to the Port of Long Beach, one of the busiest container ports in the Western Hemisphere, and the environmental impacts of shipping and trucking operations have been a persistent concern for nearby residential communities. In late 2023, the city was reported to be acting on multiple fronts to lower carbon emissions from shipping, trucking, and public transportation.

Economic Development and Sports

Richardson has promoted sports and large-scale events as economic development tools for Long Beach. In December 2025, the mayor spoke at the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce's third annual "State of Business" event, arguing that sports could become a greater economic engine for the city.

In connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in part in the Los Angeles region, Richardson promoted Long Beach as a potential host for fan activities. However, the effort drew scrutiny when FIFA planners indicated that Long Beach was not included on the final list of official World Cup Fan Zones, despite earlier statements from the mayor suggesting otherwise.

In February 2026, Richardson invited candidates in the California gubernatorial race to visit Long Beach, offering to host tours highlighting innovation and job creation in the city.

National Profile and Advocacy

As a Black mayor of a major American city, Richardson has engaged in national discussions regarding attacks on Black-led urban governments. In September 2025, Richardson and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson were the subjects of reporting by BET, in which both mayors pushed back against what they characterized as misleading attacks on their cities. The coverage was highlighted by the Democratic Mayors Association.

Personal Life

Richardson resides in the North Long Beach neighborhood of Long Beach, California, with his wife, Nina. The couple has two children. The birth of their daughter was publicly noted during Richardson's time as vice mayor, when the Long Beach Post reported on the family welcoming the newborn.

Richardson's decision to live in and represent North Long Beach has been a consistent element of his public narrative, connecting his personal experience as a resident of the community to his policy priorities regarding investment in underserved neighborhoods.

Recognition

Richardson's election as the first Black mayor of Long Beach in 2022 received substantial media coverage at the local and national level. The Los Angeles Times reported on the historic nature of his victory, noting its significance for a city of nearly 470,000 people that is one of the most diverse in California. CBS News Los Angeles covered his swearing-in ceremony, emphasizing the milestone in the city's history.

His participation in national forums, including the White House My Brother's Keeper summit during the Obama administration, brought attention to his advocacy for young men of color and underserved communities. Richardson's profile within the Democratic Party has been elevated through his association with the Democratic Mayors Association and his engagement in national conversations about governance in Black-led cities.

The endorsements Richardson received during his 2022 mayoral campaign from Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and outgoing Mayor Robert Garcia reflected his standing within California's Democratic political establishment.

Legacy

As an incumbent mayor whose tenure is ongoing, Richardson's long-term legacy remains to be determined. His election as the first Black mayor of Long Beach in 2022 represented a historic milestone for one of California's largest cities. The significance of this achievement has been placed in the broader context of Black political leadership in American cities, particularly as Richardson has engaged in national discussions about the challenges facing Black mayors.

Richardson's policy priorities—including the West Long Beach Promise initiative, environmental sustainability efforts related to port operations, and the use of sports as an economic development tool—reflect an approach to urban governance that seeks to balance community investment in historically underserved areas with broader economic growth strategies for the city as a whole.

His tenure has also included controversies common to urban executives, including debates over fiscal policy and public scrutiny when promotional claims—such as those regarding Long Beach's status as a FIFA World Cup Fan Zone—did not align with subsequent developments. How Richardson navigates these challenges in the remainder of his term will shape how his mayoralty is ultimately assessed.