Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Feb. 23. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Sign up to get this weekly briefing at LBPost.com/newsletters.
Primary season is officially underway for the some-quarter million registered voters in Long Beach.
In less than six months, voters will have their say on city prosecutor, attorney and auditor; five City Council seats; the esteemed mayoral race; and weigh in on a number of state and regional contests that could have major ramifications for the future.
Those interested in voting: Ballots will be mailed for the race no later than May 4, though the last day to register to vote is May 18. Ballot drop-off locations will be announced here.
There were upwards of 269,000 registered voters citywide in 2024. More than half of them were Democrats (143,000), 46,000 Republicans and many more listed as no party preference.
We’ve begun meeting with candidates and reviewing campaign data ahead of the races, and will be publishing stories in the coming months that help readers make informed decisions. And we’re asking for advice on what you want to know. Fill out our survey here.
Interested in running? The deadline to file is by 5 p.m. on March 6. Each candidate must gather 20 voter signatures who live in the nominating district and provide an up to 400-word statement that will be included in sample ballot booklets.
Unsure of your City Council district? Here’s a map.
In each race, if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in June, the top two finishers will compete in a November runoff.
Here are some of the key races.
At the top of the ticket is the mayoral race. Mayor Rex Richardson, first elected to that position in 2022, will look to secure his second term in office. He faces four declared opponents so far: former Marine and National Guardsman Joshua Rodriguez; Lee Goldin, a nonprofit worker; Rogelio Martinez, who infamously called upon gangs to ‘take back’ the city from ICE; and Terri Rivers.
While Long Beach mayor is typically the marquee race, many seats should offer a spirited contest.
In District 7, City Councilmember Roberto Uranga is terming out, leaving the field open. The six candidates looking to replace him are LBCC Trustee Vivian Malauulu; health administrator Dameon Gordon; local advocate Victor Ramirez; Jerlene Tatum, a local entrepreneur and activist; Long Beach Homeless Coalition president Jamies Shuford; and outreach worker Oscar Sevilla.
In the other four City Council races, challengers will try to unseat incumbents.
Six challengers are seeking to oust Councilmember Mary Zendejas to represent District 1, which covers downtown Long Beach and some surrounding neighborhoods. The challengers who have filed so far include nonprofit leader and business owner Tamika Wagner-Oslo; Brock Goleman, a member of the Long Beach Police Community Advisory Board; Long Beach human rights activist Anthony Bryson; Debra Kahookele, a realtor, advocate and president of the Promenade Area Resident Association; Washington Neighborhood Association member Lori Logan; and resident Alfredo Torres.
District 5 Councilmember Megan Kerr, who represents neighborhoods around the city airport, will defend her seat against two challengers, former Long Beach Unified teacher Deborah Betance and Tara Riggi, a realtor and president of the California Heights Neighborhood Association.
A similar story for District 3, which covers Belmont Shore among a swathe of East Long Beach. Incumbent Kristina Duggan has two opponents: traffic and tax advocate Ronald Sampson and resident Jake Bergkvist.
And in North Long Beach, District 9 Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie has one opponent — Sequoia Neff, a realtor, business owner and youth mentor.
You can see the most up-to-date list of candidates and get information on how to run yourself here.
Other things to watch for this week:
- The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a month-long extension of protections against price-gouging on goods and services, as well as in renting apartments or hotels. This follows the release of a statewide report documenting widespread price gouging in the aftermath of the wildfires that ravaged across the Palisades and Altadena.
- Members of the L.A. Metro Board on Thursday will review three contracts for bus shuttles from Los Angeles Airport, El Camino College in Torrance, and Pierce College G Line Station in Woodland Hills to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Business events and information
- The Port of Long Beach will host a town hall on March 31 to share plans for demolishing ramps accessing the Shoemaker Bridge as part of the seaport’s rail-yard project. The two-hour forum will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Jenny Oropeza Community Center (401 Golden Ave.). For more information, visit here.
- Administrators with the Veterans Affairs hospital in Long Beach announced improvements to the facility that will continue through the spring. This includes several electrical upgrades, including to their HVAC systems, as well as renovations to their rehabilitation facilities and radiology center.
- Struggling to file your taxes? This city is hosting a tax assistance event on Saturday at Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.) for those making under $67,000 a year. Those interested in attending can book ahead online or call 323-909-1975. Appointments are encouraged but not required.
- Applications are re-opening to small businesses in West Long Beach as part of the continued “Love Your Block Program.” Grants run up to $2,500, meant for additions that improve air quality, pedestrian safety and overall public health. Conditions for applying can be found here.
ICYMI — California and national news
- Hundreds of formerly homeless residents in limbo as funds run out for emergency housing program (Long Beach Post)
- Supreme Court says Trump’s tariffs are unconstitutional, bringing relief — and new questions — to Long Beach, L.A. ports (Long Beach Post)
- LA has ‘no such authority’ to roll out new RV removal program under state law, judge says (LAist)
- Senators call for investigation into insurance department over handling of L.A. wildfire claims (Los Angeles Times)