Richmond Progressive Alliance
Template:Short description Template:Infobox political party The Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) is a progressive political group in Richmond and western Contra Costa County, California, United States. RPA formed in 2003 by local progressives.
RPA is an umbrella organization for progressives and leftists, regardless of political party. RPA members include voters registered as Democrats, Greens, and Independents.<ref name=Brenneman2006>Template:Cite news</ref> Similarly, RPA electeds include Democrats, Greens, and Independents.<ref name=Chan2018 />
RPA mostly focuses on local elections. RPA routinely wins seats on the Richmond City Council. Richmond has non-partisan elections, which helps groups like RPA win and wield power.<ref name=Richman2017 /> This is similar to Progressive Dane. Richmond also elected all city council seats on a top-3 city-wide basis, which empowered RPA.<ref name=Richman2017 /> In 2020, Richmond adopted single-member districts for its city council.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2024, Richmond's mayor and city council voted to send a ranked-choice (instant-runoff) voting measure to voters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
RPA supports higher taxes and lower pollution for the local Chevron refinery; opposition to racial profiling; and opposition to urban casino development in Point Molate. During the 2000s and 2010s, the alliance altered the balance of power in the city and reduced the representation of Chevron-backed candidates.<ref name=Taylor2017 /><ref name=Cagle2019 /> RPA increased school funding, ended cooperation with ICE for non-criminals, and enacted Ban the Box.<ref name=Hirsch2018 /> While RPA has been in power, Richmond saw a 75% decrease in homicide.<ref name=Hirsch2018>Template:Cite web</ref> Taxes on Chevron, supported by RPA, amounted to $204 million, which RPA invested in social programs.<ref name=Richman2017 />
Notable members include Gayle McLaughlin and Jovanka Beckles.
History
Origins
In 2003<ref name=Cagle2019 /><ref name=Taylor2017 /><ref name=Chan2018 /> or 2004,<ref name=Brenneman2006 /><ref name=Richman2017 /> an "unlikely group of Greens, Latinos, progressive Democrats, African Americans, and free spirits" founded RPA.<ref name=Richman2017 /> Co-founders included Gayle McLaughlin,<ref name=Cagle2019 /><ref name=Brenneman2006 /><ref name=Chan2018 /> Marilyn Langlois,<ref name=Taylor2017 /> and Andrés Soto.<ref name=Cagle2019 /> McLaughlin cited Peter Camejo's run in 2002 as Green Party candidate for Governor of California as their inspiration for getting involved in politics.<ref name=Brenneman2006 />
2000s
In 2004, RPA member Gayle McLaughlin, a Green and a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member,<ref name=Chan2018 /> won a city council seat in Richmond.<ref name=Richman2017 /> They were the first RPA member to do so.
In 2005, RPA supported transfer of the former Zeneca site at Campus Bay to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 2006 Richmond, California municipal elections, Gayle McLaughlin won the election for mayor against incumbent Democrat Irma Anderson.<ref name=Brenneman2006 /> This made Richmond the largest city in the United States to have a Green mayor.
In 2008, RPA supported ballot measure Measure T which would substantially increased business license fees for large corporations like Chevron, owner of the Chevron Richmond Refinery. RPA opposed, Measure U, which would enable casino building, like the one proposed for the former Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot, was successfully defeated at the ballot box.
After the 2008 financial crisis, Richmond saw extensive foreclosures.<ref name=Dewan2014 /> In 2008, Richmond began fining banks $1000 per day if they failed to maintain their property, and had collected $1.5 million by 2014.<ref name=Dewan2014 /> In 2014, RPA and McLaughlin supported an underwater mortgage bailout program which would use eminent domain to obtain better terms for underwater homeowners;<ref name=Richman2017 /><ref name=Dewan2014>Template:Cite news</ref> however, banks threatened a capital strike and Congress passed a law banning the practice.<ref name=Richman2017 />
2010s
In 2010, RPA negotiated with Chevron to contribute millions of dollars for the city to reinvest in itself instead of facing Measure T which would have forced a change in the utility tax which would have made them potentially contribute more.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2012, RPA member Jeff Ritterman proposed Measure N, a tax on sugary drinks. Community Coalition Against Beverage Taxes, funded by the American Beverage Association, spent $2.4 million to defeat it. It was rejected by 66.9% of voters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2014, Richmond municipal elections attracted national media attention, as they were seen as a "David versus Goliath" race in the wake of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court case.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Chevron spent about $3.1 million to support its own slate of candidates and break progressive control of the council,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Cagle2019>Template:Cite news</ref> which was more than Chevron had spent in total on all US Congress races from 2008 to 2012.<ref name=Richman2017>Template:Cite news</ref> According to McLaughlin, Chevron "bought up every billboard in town".<ref name=Cagle2019 /> In the mayoral election, RPA endorsed Mike Parker for Richmond mayor. However, Parker withdrew from the race in August and endorsed Tom Butt, in order to avoid splitting the left and center-left vote.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Butt beat Chevron's mayoral candidate, Nat Bates, with more than 51 percent of the election and avoiding a run-off. In the city council election, RPA took all 3 open seats, with McLaughlin, Martinez, and Beckles beating out Chevon-backed candidates Donna Powers, Charles Ramsey, and Al Martinez.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Cagle2019 />
In 2016, RPA won 2 additional city council seats, giving them 5 of 6 city council seats and 5 of 7 voting seats in the Richmond government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Richmond voters approved a controversial rent-control and just-cause eviction measure written and backed by the RPA.<ref name=Taylor2017>Template:Cite news</ref> RPA's rent control measure passed,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which soured relations between RPA and mayor Butt, who opposed the measure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2017, RPA endorsed three members for McLaughlin's empty seat, including Langlois and Ada Recinos.<ref name=Taylor2017 /> In a surprising decision, the council picked Recinos over Langlois.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2018, McLaughlin created the California Progressive Alliance, a statewide offshoot of the RPA which endorses progressive candidates for state and federal elections.<ref name=Chan2018>Template:Cite news</ref> McLaughlin ran for Lieutenant Governor of California, but lost.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the same year, RPA member Jovanka Beckles and former Obama 2008 campaign coordinator Buffy Wicks competed for the California Assembly District 15 seat. Richmond mayor Tom Butt and the California Progressive Alliance endorsed Wicks. Wicks went on to beat Beckles by 12 points and win the seat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2019, Butt blamed the Richmond Progressive Alliance for obstructing appointments to city positions, which are done typically at the prerogative of the mayor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Electoral history
The table below shows the number of RPA elected officials after the November election:
| Year | Richmond City Council | Mayor of Richmond | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Template:Composition bar | did not control | <ref name=RPA2004 /><ref name=CC2004 /> |
| 2006 | Template:Composition bar | Gayle McLaughlin | <ref name=RPA2006 /><ref name=CC2006 /> |
| 2008 | Template:Composition bar | Gayle McLaughlin | <ref name=RPA2008 /><ref name=CC2008 /> |
| 2010 | Template:Composition bar | Gayle McLaughlin | <ref name=RPA2010 /><ref name=CC2010 /> |
| 2012 | Template:Composition bar | Gayle McLaughlin | <ref name=RPA2012 /><ref name=CC2012 /> |
| 2014 | Template:Composition bar | did not control | <ref name=RPA2014 /><ref name=CC2014 /> |
| 2016 | Template:Composition bar | did not control | <ref name=RPA2016 /><ref name=CC2016 /> |
| 2018 | Template:Composition bar | did not control | <ref name=RPA2018 /><ref name=CC2018 /> |
| 2020 | Template:Composition bar | did not control | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2022 | Template:Composition bar | Eduardo Martinez | <ref name=RPA2022 /><ref name=CC2022 /> |
| 2024 | TBD | Eduardo Martinez | <ref name=RPA2024 /><ref name=CC2024 /> |
Election results
RPA has fielded electoral candidates for local and state offices. RPA candidates usually run in nonpartisan elections or as No Party Preference (NPP) independent candidates.
Statewide elections
| Year | Candidate | Office | State | District | Votes | % | Result | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Gayle McLaughlin | Lieutenant Governor | California | At-Large | 263,364 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | ran as No Party Preference (NPP) candidate; endorsed by CNP, DSA, GPCA, OR, PFP, PP, and RPA | <ref name=RPA2018 /><ref name=CA2018>Template:Cite web</ref> |
State legislature elections
| Year | Candidate | Office | State | District | Votes | % | Result | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jovanka Beckles | Senate | California | 7 | <ref name=RPA2024 /> | ||||
| 2024 | Margot Smith | Assembly | California | 14 | <ref name=RPA2024 /> | ||||
| 2018 | Jovanka Beckles | Assembly | California | 15 | 90,405 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | ran as Democratic candidate; secured 15.8% in an all-party blanket primary and advanced to the general election. lost to Buffy Wicks | <ref name=RPA2018 /><ref name=CA2018 /> |
Local results
| Year | Candidate | Office | City | District | Votes | % | Result | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Claudia Jimenez | City Council | Richmond | 6 | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2024>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2024>Template:Cite web</ref> | |||
| 2024 | Melvin Willis | City Council | Richmond | 1 | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2024 /><ref name=CC2024 /> | |||
| 2024 | Sue Wilson | City Council | Richmond | 5 | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2024 /><ref name=CC2024 /> | |||
| 2024 | Otheree Christian | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 2 | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2024 /><ref name=CC2024 /> | |||
| 2024 | Cinthia Hernandez | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 3 | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2024 /><ref name=CC2024 /> | |||
| 2022 | Eduardo Martinez | Mayor | Richmond | At-Large | 10,319 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2022>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2022>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2022 | Doria Robinson | City Council | Richmond | 3 | 1,145 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2022 /><ref name=CC2022 /> |
| 2022 | Jamin Pursell | City Council | Richmond | 4 | 2,027 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2022 /><ref name=CC2022 /> |
| 2020 | Gayle McLaughlin | City Council | Richmond | 5 | 4,576 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2020>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2020 | Claudia Jimenez | City Council | Richmond | 6 | 4128 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Melvin Willis | City Council | Richmond | 1 | 2557 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Jamela Smith-Folds | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 1 | 13,227 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Otheree Christian | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 2 | 5,357 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Demetrio Gonzales-Hoy | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 4 | 10,092 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Leslie Reckler | WCC School District | Contra Costa | 5 | 10,093 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2020 | Consuelo Lara | CC Board of Education | Contra Costa | 1 | 41,905 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2020 /><ref name=CC2020 /> |
| 2018 | Melvin Willis | Mayor | Richmond | At-Large | 12,917 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election | <ref name=RPA2018>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2018>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2018 | Eduardo Martinez | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,833 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 2nd place | <ref name=RPA2018 /><ref name=CC2018 /> |
| 2018 | Ada Recinos | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 7,350 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 6th place | <ref name=RPA2018 /><ref name=CC2018 /> |
| 2016 | Ben Choi | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 10490 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 1st place | <ref name=RPA2016>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2016>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2016 | Melvin Willis | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 12137 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 2nd place | <ref name=RPA2016 /><ref name=CC2016 /> |
| 2014 | Gayle McLaughlin | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,754 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 1st place | <ref name=RPA2014>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2014>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2014 | Eduardo Martinez | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 7,629 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 3rd place | <ref name=RPA2014 /><ref name=CC2014 /> |
| 2014 | Jovanka Beckles | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,322 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 2nd place | <ref name=RPA2014 /><ref name=CC2014 /> |
| 2012 | Marilyn Langlois | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,610 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 4th place | <ref name=RPA2012>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2012>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2012 | Eduardo Martinez | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 10,956 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 5th place | <ref name=RPA2012 /><ref name=CC2012 /> |
| 2010 | Gayle McLaughlin | Mayor | Richmond | At-Large | 9,841 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, ran as open Green candidate | <ref name=RPA2010>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2010>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2010 | Jovanka Beckles | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,135 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 3rd place | <ref name=RPA2010 /><ref name=CC2010 /> |
| 2010 | Eduardo Martinez | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 6,564 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 6th place | <ref name=RPA2010 /><ref name=CC2010 /> |
| 2008 | Jovanka Beckles | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 11,090 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 4th place | <ref name=RPA2008>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2008>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2008 | Jeff Ritterman | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 12,180 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 1st place | <ref name=RPA2008 /><ref name=CC2008 /> |
| 2006 | Gayle McLaughlin | Mayor | Richmond | At-Large | 7,343 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, ran as open Green candidate | <ref name=RPA2006>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2006>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2006 | Jim Jenkins | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 4,825 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 5th place | <ref name=RPA2006 /><ref name=CC2006 /> |
| 2004 | Gayle McLaughlin | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 11,191 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:Yes2 Won | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 2nd place | <ref name=RPA2004>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=CC2004>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2004 | Andres Soto | City Council | Richmond | At-Large | 8,318 | Template:Percentage bar | Template:No2 Lost | nonpartisan election, vote for 3, 4th place | <ref name=RPA2004 /><ref name=CC2004 /> |
See also
- American Left
- Democratic Socialists of America
- Progressive Dane
- Green Party of the United States
- History of the socialist movement in the United States
- List of mayors of Richmond, California
References
Template:Reflist Template:Portal