Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson Appointed to Metro Board

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson has been elected by representatives from the Gateway Cities subregion to join the Metro Board of Directors. The appointment, which is subject to a final approval from the full Los Angeles County City Selection Committee, is anticipated to be confirmed in late June or early July. Richardson will fill the vacancy left by Fernando Dutra, the former Gateway Cities Metro representative who lost his Whittier City Council reelection campaign in April.

Metro Board Appointment Process

The Gateway Cities subregion’s representatives convened and unanimously elected Richardson. This selection process involves a vote by the Los Angeles County City Selection Committee Southeast Long Beach Corridor Sector, a body composed of twenty-six city representatives who cast population-weighted votes. Long Beach’s significant population share within the subregion means its representation carries considerable weight in these decisions. While the subregion’s vote is a key step, final confirmation rests with the full L.A. County City Selection Committee. This larger committee is also expected to approve a replacement for Glendale City Councilmember/Mayor Ara Najarian, who is retiring.

Background of Rex Richardson

Rex Richardson made history in 2022 by becoming the first Black mayor of Long Beach. Before his mayoral tenure, he served on the Long Beach City Council, representing the 9th Council District. This district is characterized as a predominantly Black and Latino working-class area in North Long Beach. A Democrat with a background in labor organizing, Richardson has established a record of advocating for housing and economic development initiatives.

Transportation and Urbanism Vision

Long Beach has consistently been recognized as one of the more transit, walking, and cycling-friendly cities within Los Angeles County. Mayor Richardson has actively supported investments in multimodal transportation. Notably, he has championed projects such as the Artesia Great Boulevard Project, underscoring a commitment to enhancing non-automotive transit options and urban infrastructure. His appointment to the Metro Board is likely to bring his focus on housing, economic development, and multimodal transportation to the forefront of regional transit planning and policy discussions. The Metro Board oversees the planning, funding, and operation of public transportation across Los Angeles County, including bus and rail services.

Key facts

Impact on Regional Planning

Richardson’s experience as mayor of a significant Southern California city, coupled with his background in labor organizing and advocacy for housing and economic development, positions him to influence regional transportation policy. The Gateway Cities subregion is a crucial part of Los Angeles County’s transit network, and the Metro Board’s decisions impact millions of riders daily. His focus on multimodal investments suggests a potential alignment with broader goals of sustainability and improved accessibility within the transit system. The Artesia Great Boulevard Project, which he has championed, likely involves streetscape improvements, enhanced pedestrian and cycling facilities, and potentially transit priority measures, reflecting a comprehensive approach to urban mobility. The Metro Board’s responsibilities include capital planning, service operations, and fare policy, making Richardson’s perspective on local urban development and transportation needs valuable at the regional level. His background in a diverse, working-class district may also bring a focus on equity and accessibility to transit services.

Fuente: Streetsblog LA (https://la.streetsblog.org/2026/05/26/gateway-cities-elect-long-beach-mayor-rex-richardson-to-metro-board)