Long Beach City Councilwoman Mary Zendejas Endorses Vice Mayor Rex Richardson

Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson has received the endorsement of Long Beach First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas.

“Rex is the collaborative leader that I trust to tackle our city’s biggest challenges, from expanding affordable housing and getting our unhoused neighbors off the street, to ensuring that all of our neighborhoods, from Downtown to Uptown, are safe and healthy,” stated Councilwoman Zendejas. “Rex is the proven leader that Long Beach needs, and I look forward to partnering with him as our next Mayor.” 

A trailblazer, Councilwoman Zendejas was elected to represent the 1st District of Long Beach in November of 2019 becoming the first Latina wheelchair user to be elected to public office in the nation. 

“I am grateful for the endorsement of my colleague, Councilwoman, Mary Zendejas,” stated Vice Mayor Richardson. “She has been a fierce advocate for ensuring every resident has access to the resources they need, whether it be accessible transportation or safer infrastructure. 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 Zendejas’ district, he earned the support of several neighborhood leaders from her district.

“Neighborhood organizing and engagement is vital to a thriving community, and I know Rex has the experience to bring neighbors together,” stated Carole Sergy, North Pine Neighborhood Alliance Immediate Past President.” “Rex has supported my grassroots campaign, Pine Beautification Posse, to unify and mobilize my neighbors to make our street beautiful. I know he will bring that same spirit of collaboration and leadership as our next Mayor.”

Additional leaders who have endorsed are:

Pearlie Pegeese- President, Providence Senior Center Association*
Kathleen Irvine – Former President, Willmore City Heritage Association*
Joey King- Community Leader* 
Karen Reside -Board Member, Gray Panthers*
Leanna Noble – Board Member, North Pine Association*
Michele Valencia – Board Member, Willmore City Heritage Association*

*titles for identification purposes only.

Vice Mayor Richardson announced his campaign for Long Beach Mayor on January 3, 2022. In addition to Councilwoman Zendejas, 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 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.