Another heated election looms in Richmond
“Five of the city’s seven City Council spots, including the mayor’s seat, are in play, a contest that promises to be another installment in the ongoing struggle for Richmond’s leadership between big money industries and tenacious, volunteer-based grass roots progressives.
Chevron, whose local refinery is the city’s largest taxpayer, has already signaled it will jump into the political fray with both feet, hiring renowned public relations advisers, launching community websites and buying up billboard and bus stop space throughout the city. The battle promises to be pitched, even by Richmond’s bare-knuckle standards.
“In 2012, the money and messaging from Big Oil and Big Soda was overwhelming,” said Andres Soto, a local activist and founding member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance. “We stayed away from negative campaigning while our candidates were pummeled by it, and that’s a lesson we learned and won’t repeat.”
Until the November 2012 election, the RPA and its volunteers enjoyed a series of improbable victories, wresting control of city government from the big business-supported leaders that historically dominated city politics.
This year, with no soda tax to bear down on its candidates, RPA leaders are pushing for a minimum wage hike on the November ballot and touting the city’s recent gains in public safety, employment and amenities like newly opened park space and bike lanes.”
Rogers, Robert. West County Times 28 February 2014.