2006 Richmond, California city election
Encyclopedia
The Richmond, California 2006 city election decided the mayor, four council members, and one measure submitted to the voters of Richmond
, California
on November 7, 2007. The election also elected the first Green Party mayor of this city, and made Richmond the largest city in the United States to have a Green mayor. Furthermore it unseated an incumbent mayor from a major political party by one from a minor third party.
, former council member Gary Bell (both Democrats
), and council member Gayle McLaughlin
, a Green
. In 2004, McLaughlin had become the first member of the Green Party to win a seat on the Richmond city council. This is attributed to her door-to-door campaigning and the fact that ballots for Richmond city offices do not mention political party. McLaughlin won with 37.2 percent of the votes, followed by Anderson with 36.1 and Gary Bell 26.1. becoming the first Green mayor of a major California city (a feat nearly achieved by Matt González
in the 2004 San Francisco mayoral election). Those who decided to vote by mail had to pay an additional US$.63 instead of having it mailed for free as is the custom.
McLaughlin was endorsed by councils and local chapers of several labor unions including: the AFSCME, International Union
, and SEIU. Organizations such as the Sierra Club
, local Green Parties, Richmond Greens
, Alameda County Greens, Contra Costa County Greens, and political groups such as the Mexican American Political Association
(MAPA), the Richmond Progressive Alliance
were among McLaughlin's supporters.
, Phil Angelides
, Loni Hancock
, and John Gioia
.
The results for the four-year seats were as follows:
Jim Rogers 9,295
María T. Viramontes
9,033
Ludmyrna “Myrna” López
7,864
(these three were elected)
Courtland "Corky" Boozé 7,382
James “Jim” Jenkins 4,825
Richard Griffin 4,678
. The measure's purpose was to raise $10 million in additional annual revenue for the purpose of hiring fifty additional police officers, expanding community programs and youth crime prevention, and to serve as a general city tax code overhaul. It proposed adding a 1/8% manufacturing tax on raw materials used in manufacturing. More controversially, the taxation of rental units would change from a flat $247 annual fee to a fee of $35–$90 per residential unit and a 3 cents per square foot tax on non-residential units. Measure T would have also increased the business tax by 10% and made small adjustments to other business taxes, such as those for arcade games. It was supported by the Richmond Police Department including Chief Rupf and several neighborhood councils. Chevron
, which has a large Chevron Richmond Refinery
, opposed the measure. Under the Measure T provisions, Chevron would pay eight of the desired ten million dollars. A few local local taxpayer organizations also opposed the measure. It was defeated by a ratio of approximately two to one.
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on November 7, 2007. The election also elected the first Green Party mayor of this city, and made Richmond the largest city in the United States to have a Green mayor. Furthermore it unseated an incumbent mayor from a major political party by one from a minor third party.
Mayoral race
The mayor's race was a three-way contest between incumbent mayor Irma A. AndersonIrma A. Anderson
Irma L. Anderson was the first African American woman elected mayor of a major California city, serving Richmond, California between 2001 and 2006, she ran for reelection as the incumbent Democrat in the 2006 mayoral race and lost to Green challenger councilperson Gayle McLaughlin by 192 votes, her...
, former council member Gary Bell (both Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
), and council member Gayle McLaughlin
Gayle McLaughlin
Gayle McLaughlin is a California politician. She is a member of the Green Party and, since 2006, the mayor of Richmond, California and a member of Richmond's City Council. McLaughlin was elected on November 7, 2006 by a 279-vote margin over incumbent mayor Irma A. Anderson...
, a Green
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
. In 2004, McLaughlin had become the first member of the Green Party to win a seat on the Richmond city council. This is attributed to her door-to-door campaigning and the fact that ballots for Richmond city offices do not mention political party. McLaughlin won with 37.2 percent of the votes, followed by Anderson with 36.1 and Gary Bell 26.1. becoming the first Green mayor of a major California city (a feat nearly achieved by Matt González
Matt Gonzalez
Matthew Edward Gonzalez is an American politician, lawyer, and activist prominent in San Francisco politics. He currently serves as chief attorney in the San Francisco Public Defender's office....
in the 2004 San Francisco mayoral election). Those who decided to vote by mail had to pay an additional US$.63 instead of having it mailed for free as is the custom.
Gayle McLaughlin
International union
International union may refer to:*Trade union having affiliated locals in more than one country. Examples include International Ladies Garment Workers Union , International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union, and International Typographical Union....
, and SEIU. Organizations such as the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
, local Green Parties, Richmond Greens
Richmond Greens
The Richmond Greens is the local chapter of the United States Green Party of Richmond, California. They have fielded three candidates for city council Gayle McLaughlin and Andrés Soto in 2004 and Jim Jenkins in 2006 who lost. McLaughlin ran for mayor in 2006 and unseated incumbent Irma Anderson...
, Alameda County Greens, Contra Costa County Greens, and political groups such as the Mexican American Political Association
Mexican American Political Association
Mexican American Political Association is an organization that promotes the interests of Mexican-Americans, Mexicans, Latinos, Chicanos, Hispanics and Latino Economic Refugees in the United States.-History:...
(MAPA), the Richmond Progressive Alliance
Richmond Progressive Alliance
The Richmond Progressive Alliance is a community/political group in Richmond, western Contra Costa County, California, United States of America.It supports various community efforts including campaigns to force the local Chevron refinery to pay higher taxes and reduce pollution; opposition to...
were among McLaughlin's supporters.
Irma Anderson
Irma Anderson, the prior mayor of Richmond, was endorsed by Dianne FeinsteinDianne Feinstein
Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein is the senior U.S. Senator from California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the Senate since 1992. She also served as 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988....
, Phil Angelides
Phil Angelides
Philip Nicholas "Phil" Angelides is an American politician who was California State Treasurer and the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of California in the 2006 elections...
, Loni Hancock
Loni Hancock
Loni Hancock is currently serving in her first term as the representative of California State Senate District 9. The 9th Senate District currently includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, and San Pablo...
, and John Gioia
John Gioia
John Gioia is an American politician. He has been the Democratic county supervisor for Contra Costa County, California District 1 since 1998 and was re-elected in 2002.-Overview:...
.
Gary Bell
Gary Bell, a banker, had been a council member from 2000 to 2005. He said it was important that residents "feel that their opinion or point of view is heard" . His campaign slogan was "No more politics".City council race
2006's election was considered important because it was the last election for a nine member council. As of the 2007 election, the number of council members decreased to five.The results for the four-year seats were as follows:
Jim Rogers 9,295
María T. Viramontes
María Viramontes
María Viramontes is a member of the Richmond City Council. She was the Democratic Vice Mayor of the city of Richmond, California. She is both the first Latino person and woman to achieve reach this position. She was appointed by the city council...
9,033
Ludmyrna “Myrna” López
Ludmyrna Lopez
Ludmyrna Lopez , known simply as "Myrna," is a Democratic member of the City Council of the California city of Richmond...
7,864
(these three were elected)
Courtland "Corky" Boozé 7,382
James “Jim” Jenkins 4,825
Richard Griffin 4,678
Tony Thurmond
Tony Thurmond was unopposed in running for a short (2-year) term for a vacancy created by a resignation.Measures
There was only one measure on the ballot that year. In the past several elections, the city's voters had been reluctant to pass any measures at the city level.Measure T
Measure T was designed to raise funds for city services in Richmond, CaliforniaRichmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
. The measure's purpose was to raise $10 million in additional annual revenue for the purpose of hiring fifty additional police officers, expanding community programs and youth crime prevention, and to serve as a general city tax code overhaul. It proposed adding a 1/8% manufacturing tax on raw materials used in manufacturing. More controversially, the taxation of rental units would change from a flat $247 annual fee to a fee of $35–$90 per residential unit and a 3 cents per square foot tax on non-residential units. Measure T would have also increased the business tax by 10% and made small adjustments to other business taxes, such as those for arcade games. It was supported by the Richmond Police Department including Chief Rupf and several neighborhood councils. Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
, which has a large Chevron Richmond Refinery
Chevron Richmond Refinery
The Chevron Richmond Refinery is a petroleum refinery in Richmond, California, on San Francisco Bay. It is owned and operated by Chevron Corporation and employs more than 1,200 workers, making it the city's largest employer. The refinery processes approximately of crude oil a day in the...
, opposed the measure. Under the Measure T provisions, Chevron would pay eight of the desired ten million dollars. A few local local taxpayer organizations also opposed the measure. It was defeated by a ratio of approximately two to one.
External links
- 2006 Election Information at the Richmond website
- Gayle McLaughlin official site
- Irma Anderson city of Richmond profile