Connect with us

City Government

Mayor-elect Tom Butt, Richmond Progressive Alliance Celebrate Victory

Published

on

Tom Butt was elected Richmond Mayor Tuesday despite a multimillion-dollar campaign by the Chevron Corporation which failed to defeat him or elect candidates the oil company had supported.

 

Butt won with 51.43 percent of votes, beating Nat Bates – backed by Chevron – who received 35.46 percent of the votes and Uche Justin Uwahemu, who came in third with 12.73 percent.

“I’ve never had such a bunch of people who are dedicated and worked so hard. It’s far away above anything that I’ve ever experienced,” said Butt quoted in the SF Chronicle.

Also winning, three members of the Richmond Progressive Alliance who ran for City Council: Jovanka Beckles, Gayle McLaughlin and Eduardo Martinez.

By winning both the campaigns for mayor and city council, the progressives will probably be able to fill Butt’s vacated council seat.

A number of observers said that Chevron’s aggressive campaign turned off voters.

“The election was a referendum on Chevron, and the people obviously made it clear they did not appreciate the unnecessary spending by Chevron – so they took it out on the rest of the candidates,” said mayoral candidate Uwahemu.

Butt’s campaign spent about $58,000 while Chevron spending totaled over $3 million and attracted national attention to Richmond, a city of 107,000 people.

Speaking at his campaign headquarters, Bates told his supporters, “It looks like the campaign is over, and Butt is your new mayor. Everyone that Chevron supported was unsuccessful.”

Quoted in the Richmond Confidential, Bates said, “I’m still in love with this city. There was just too much mail, and people became resentful. They turned against Chevron.”

In the campaign for a short-term City Council member, Jael Myrick won with 50.96 percent of the vote, defeating Corky Booze, who received 32.30 percent.

In Congressional races, Mark DeSaulnier won with 66.17 percent of the vote, and Jerry McNerney won with 55.32 percent.

In a press release, Richmond Progressive Alliance said the winning three council members have “pledged to stand strong for Richmond residents in the city’s dealings with the Chevron Corporation, demanding safety, transparency and accountability from the oil giant.”

According to the press release, “The newly-elected City Council will preside over the refinery’s massive retooling project, as well as oversee the City’s lawsuit against Chevron, a result of the horrific 2012 refinery fire that sent 15,000 residents to seek medical treatment and caused property values to plunge.”

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 12 – 18, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 12 – 18, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of March 5 – 11, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 5 – 11, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of February 26 – March 4, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 26 – March 4, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks ago

Target Takes a Hit: $12.4 Billion Wiped Out as Boycotts Grow

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (left) and Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) (Right).
Activism4 weeks ago

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Lateefah Simon to Speak at Elihu Harris Lecture Series

Oakland City Hall. File photo.
Alameda County4 weeks ago

After Years of Working Remotely, Oakland Requires All City Employees to Return to Office by April 7

Blair Underwood (left) and Barbara Lee (right). Courtesy photo.
Activism4 weeks ago

Actor, Philanthropist Blair Underwood Visits Bay Area, Kicks Off Literacy Program in ‘New Oakland’ Initiative

Albert L. Brooks MD. Courtesy photo.
Activism1 month ago

OP-ED: Like Physicians, U.S. Health Institutions Must ‘First, Do No Harm’

iStock.
Activism4 weeks ago

Lawsuit Accuses UC Schools of Giving Preference to Black and Hispanic Students

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

PRESS ROOM: Top Climate Organizations React to Trump’s Executive Orders Attacking Health, Environment, Climate and Clean Energy Jobs

Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.
Activism1 month ago

Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress

#NNPA BlackPress1 month ago

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025 We Proclaim It

Barbara Lee. Courtesy photo.
Alameda County4 weeks ago

Lee Releases Strong Statement on Integrity and Ethics in Government

Ricki Stevenson, Blacks in Paris. Courtesy photo.
Activism4 weeks ago

Retired Bay Area Journalist Finds Success in Paris with Black History Tours

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025

Day laborer zone sites are scattered across several streets in East Oakland, California. The sites allow workers to find temporary jobs in skilled labor such as construction, landscaping, and agriculture. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.
Activism2 weeks ago

Undocumented Workers Are Struggling to Feed Themselves. Slashed Budgets and New Immigration Policies Bring Fresh Challenges

Activism1 month ago

Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.