Elections
The last Friday of September was the first pre-election filing deadline for city council candidates to submit campaign finance reports. It was the first chance for the public to see the inner financial workings of their campaigns, such as who gives them money and how much they spend.
Residents at the Creekview Condominiums on the border of Richmond and El Sobrante are packing their belongings after receiving notices over the last two months that they must vacate the property.
Beverly Hills-based real estate developer PMI Properties cited moisture and mold in terminating leases for the 114 units. Residents, however, contend that the terminations are just in time for Richmond’s upcoming vote on rent control. If Measure L passes in November, landlords will have to pay a relocation fee to each resident evicted. At present, tenants just have to move on.
Last week, Richmond’s Praise Fellowship Bible Church hosted a “meet the candidates” forum focused on boosting voter engagement among Richmond’s faith-based community. The Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA)’s political action committee (PAC) co-sponsored the event.
The seven candidates for two seats on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education spoke about issues facing the school system during a September 20 public forum.
Politicians aren’t the only ones vying for votes in the upcoming election. From its new headquarters in downtown Richmond, the Contra Costa Transportation Campaign is reminding voters to look beyond the list of candidates on the ballot and consider supporting three transportation measures.
The former presidential candidate’s new national non-profit, Our Revolution, endorsed RPA-backed Richmond City Council candidates Ben Choi and Melvin Willis. They were two of 63 candidates nationwide to be recognized in the first wave of Our Revolution endorsements.
With less than a year to go before the next presidential election, immigrants have already begun organizing to get out the vote.
A push to change the way City Council members are elected appears to have resurfaced in Richmond. If successful, the initiative would draw six new districts in the city, each with an elected representative.