While the nation swings right, Richmond swings left

A Donald Trump piñata is tossed around among Richmond High School students during a protest on Nov. 9. Photo by Angeline Bernabe.

As the Republican Party swept into power nationally and the country watched its politics become more conservative overnight a week ago, Richmond had one of its most progressive elections ever—passing a rent control measure and giving the city’s leftist political faction majority control over the City Council.

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2016 election could bring RPA biggest win yet

The Richmond Progressive Alliance office along MacDonald Avenue, crowded with posters of various candidates for City council and WCCUSD Board of Education. Photo by Grace Oyenubi.

Back in 2004, Richmond voters saw local election posters encouraging them to “Reach for a better Richmond” and promising them “New Leadership, New Ideas, New Ethics.” Now, six elections later, the up-and-coming political faction behind those fliers, the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), could wield more influence over City Hall than ever before.

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