Figure 1 –
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez addresses the Berkeley City Council last April wearing colors and a flag that are typically symbols of Palestinian
nationalism. (Richmondside)
Multiple sources are reporting that the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), which is the power behind electing at least four of the current Richmond City Council members and
thereby controlling the City Council, has decided to abandon long-time RPA stalwart Mayor Eduardo Martinez in favor of backing Councilmember Claudia Jimenez for mayor.
The accuracy of this is unknown, but the various sources are deemed reliable. The filing period does not end until March 6, and it will be extended if an incumbent fails to file.
We will know the outcome in the next ten days.
The reason behind this switch is only speculative, but the RPA has a long history of abandoning its elected members over seemingly minor diversions in policy. Past victims include
Jeff Ritterman, Ada Recinos, and Ben Choi, all of whom fell out of favor and were subsequently dropped.
Martinez and Jimenez have clashed repeatedly in City Council meetings over parliamentary issues, and Martinez’ antisemitism may have rubbed some RPA folks the wrong way or convinced
them he was a political liability. We just don’t know.
In a number of recent events, Martinez and RPA members have been seen distancing themselves from each other and not speaking.
We are also hearing reports that the RPA cash machine, SEIU, is planning to support Jimenez.
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