Mayor Rex Richardson is sitting on a hefty re-election war chest while his would-be rivals are basically passing the hat, turning what could have been a lively Long Beach mayoral brawl into a lopsided money race. With the March 6 filing deadline looming and a June 2 primary on deck, early finance reports are already shaping how voters see the field.
Campaign filings show Richardson has raised more than $336,000 and spent about $138,000, much of it on campaign consultants, while four declared challengers have reported zero in contributions, according to the Long Beach Post. In municipal politics, where early organization and paid outreach can make or break a campaign, that kind of gap is not a small thing.
Field Nearly Set Ahead of Filing Deadline
The City Clerk’s unofficial candidate list shows Richardson facing Joshua Rodriguez, Lee Goldin, Rogelio Martinez and Terri Rivers as the filing window closes on March 6, 2026, and confirms that none of the challengers has previously held Long Beach elected office, according to the Long Beach City Clerk. The bare-bones résumés and bare-bones bank accounts highlight how quickly an incumbent’s fundraising can tilt the playing field before some campaigns even really start.
Money, Endorsements and the Incumbent Advantage
Richardson has built a donor base that pulls from both labor and business interests and has locked down endorsements from elected officials including Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, along with backing from L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna. Political scientists say that a mix of serious money and establishment support is a tough combo for first-time candidates to crack, making it very hard to oust a sitting mayor, as reported by the Long Beach Post.
Martinez’s Viral Video Adds Drama
One challenger, Rogelio Martinez, briefly jolted the otherwise quiet race when a video went viral in which he said he wanted “55 gang leaders” to convene and “take back our city” from ICE. The clip drew FBI attention and threats, according to the Los Angeles Times. The firestorm briefly elevated his profile, even as his fundraising reports show a campaign that so far has not caught financial traction.
What Voters Should Watch
With filing papers due March 6 and the Primary Nominating Election set for June 2, city election rules say any candidate who clears a majority of the vote, 50% + 1, in the primary wins outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers head to a November runoff, according to the Long Beach City Clerk. Between now and when ballots are printed, the key question is whether any challenger can suddenly drum up real money or outside support. Without cash and a ground game, analysts say, it is a steep climb.
