Long Beach City Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro Endorses Vice Mayor Rex Richardson

Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson has received the endorsement of 6th District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro.
 
“Long Beach needs a Mayor who can successfully overcome big challenges and deliver for all our communities. I am proud to endorse Rex Richardson because he has a proven track record of improving neighborhoods, revitalizing business corridors, and ensuring that city resources reach all residents,” stated  6th District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro. “He led the charge to pass Measure US that created and funded Long Beach’s first-ever citywide youth fund to invest in young people. Rex gets things done. I am confident he will effectively deliver results through collaborations as our next Mayor.”

A pioneer, Dr. Suely Saro was elected to represent the 6th District of Long Beach in 2020 and is the first Cambodian elected to Long Beach City Council.
 
“I am grateful for the endorsement of my colleague, 6th District Councilwoman, Dr. Suely Saro,” stated Vice Mayor Richardson. “Dr. Saro has been a fierce advocate for residents ensuring that everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need, whether it be youth or cleaner air. Her belief in our campaign is deeply appreciated and I look forward to continuing our important work as Mayor of Long Beach.”
 
Richardson has embarked on a neighborhood tour, meeting and engaging with community leaders in every part of the city. As a result of his outreach within Councilwoman Saro’s district, he earned the support of several neighborhood leaders from her district.

“Rex Richardson is a visionary leader with a proven record of making change to improve the quality of life for the communities,” stated Charles Song, a Cambodia Town leader. “I’ve seen him work collaboratively with neighborhood leaders to meet the needs of each community, and I’m confident he’ll continue to do that as our Mayor.”
 
Additional leaders who have endorsed are:

Cecile Harris Walters- President, Renaissance Walk Homeowners Association*

Chad Phoung- Community Leader, Battambong BBQ*

Charles Song-Community Leader, Cambodia Town*

Charron Gonder- Community Leader, Executive Director Tranquility Counseling Services*

Chuckie Miller- Community Leader, Polytechnic Alumni*

Dale Clinton- Community Leader, Long Beach Office of Community & Human Relations*

Rocio Torres- Board Member, AOC7 Neighborhood Association*

Mary Simmons- Board Member, AOC7 Neighborhood Association*

Sara Crowell- Community Leader*

Sabrina David- Community Leader, Board Member House of Haven*

Sharon McLucas- Community Leader, Forgotten Images*

Deacon LaVon Powell- St. Mark Baptist Church*

Rev. Dr. Michael Eagle- Grant AME Church*

Pastor Ricky Brown- New Hope Baptist Church*

Pastor Gregory Sanders- The ROCK*
 
*titles for identification purposes only.

Vice Mayor Richardson announced his campaign for Long Beach Mayor on January 3, 2022. In addition to Councilwoman Saro, Richardson has received endorsements from Long Beach Firefighters Association Local 372, IAM Local Lodge 1930, UFCW Local 324, SEIU UHW, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell, Long Beach City Councilmember Mary Zendejas, Long Beach Unified School Board Members Dr. Juan Benitez, PhD, Diana Craighead, and Erik Miller, and Long Beach Community College Trustees Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Herlinda Chico, and Vivian Malauulu.
 
Richardson’s priorities include addressing homelessness, protecting neighborhood health and public safety, investing in opportunities for youth, and confronting the effects of climate change.  

About Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson  

Rex Richardson is a Long Beach City Councilmember and regional leader with a proven track record of collaboration and problem solving that has helped improve the lives of Long Beach residents.  

Throughout his life, Richardson has overcome tough odds. A son of working-class parents, Richardson’s father served our country in the Air Force, and his mother––a child of the South who integrated her school––worked as a union assembly line welder at General Motors. Richardson’s family fell on hard times when his parents divorced, exasperated by housing insecurity and deep poverty. With the help of public schools and youth opportunity programs, Richardson set on a path toward a better future. His and his mother’s hard work culminated in Richardson’s college acceptance, opening the door to a life different than he had experienced growing up. After serving as the Student Body President of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Richardson became a community organizer with SEIU Local 721, helping blue-collar workers in South Los Angeles County. At age 25, he bought his first home in North Long Beach, the first in his family to own real estate. Soon after, he began serving as Chief of Staff to Councilmember Steve Neal. Seeking to create greater change, Richardson won his City Council race in 2014 with 73% of the vote, making history as Long Beach’s youngest member ever to serve. Richardson quickly established himself as a collaborative leader and change agent, seeking to provide equitable investment and opportunities for the members of his community. He was re-elected to his position in 2018, and his peers chose him to serve as Long Beach’s Vice Mayor twice.   Richardson is the Immediate Past President of the Southern California Association of Governments and currently serves as a South Coast Air Quality Management District Board Member.  

He and his wife, Dr. Nina Richardson, Ed.D., are homeowners in North Long Beach, where they reside with their two young daughters.  

For more information, visit www.JoinRexRichardson.com.