Richardson Headshot

The 9th District council race received its first official candidate Monday as Rex Richardson announced he will be running for the seat in next April’s election. 

Richardson is the chief of staff to current 9th District Councilmember Steve Neal, who launched a campaign for state assembly last week. Neal had previously filed paperwork to run again for his council seat, but said earlier this year that he would not run for both positions.  

“I look forward to continuing Councilman Neal’s successful work, engaging the tough issues, and promoting the renaissance of North Long Beach,” Richardson said in a release.

Prior to working for the 9th District, the Coolidge Triangle resident served as the Political and Community Coordinator for the Service Employees International Union Local 721 and has been a negotiator and worksite organizer throughout Los Angeles County. Richardson is also active in the local Democratic party, serving as president of the Long Beach Democratic Club and representing Long Beach at both the 2008 and 2012 Democratic National Convention.

“I am excited to launch this campaign to represent North Long Beach and share my vision for our District with my neighbors,” said Richardson.

If elected, Richardson, who will be 30 later this month, would be the youngest person to ever hold a council seat. He would also be the first millenial on the council.  

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