Richmond Progressive Alliance

Richmond Progressive Alliance
AbbreviationRPA
FounderGayle McLaughlin
Founded2003
Headquarters2540 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond CA 94804, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, US
IdeologyProgressivism
Social democracy
Environmentalism
Political positionCenter-left
Colours  Yellow
  Blue
Website
richmondprogressivealliance.net

The Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) is a progressive political group in Richmond and western Contra Costa County, California, United States. RPA formed in 2003 by local progressives.

RPA is an umbrella organization for progressives and leftists, regardless of political party. RPA members include voters registered as Democrats, Greens, and Independents.[1] Similarly, RPA electeds include Democrats, Greens, and Independents.[2]

RPA mostly focuses on local elections. RPA routinely wins seats on the Richmond City Council. Richmond has non-partisan elections, which helps groups like RPA win and wield power.[3] This is similar to Progressive Dane. Richmond also elected all city council seats on a top-3 city-wide basis, which empowered RPA.[3] In 2020, Richmond adopted single-member districts for its city council.[4] In 2024, Richmond's mayor and city council voted to send a ranked-choice (instant-runoff) voting measure to voters.[5]

RPA supports higher taxes and lower pollution for the local Chevron refinery; opposition to racial profiling; and opposition to urban casino development in Point Molate. During the 2000s and 2010s, the alliance altered the balance of power in the city and reduced the representation of Chevron-backed candidates.[6][7] RPA increased school funding, ended cooperation with ICE for non-criminals, and enacted Ban the Box.[8] While RPA has been in power, Richmond saw a 75% decrease in homicide.[8] Taxes on Chevron, supported by RPA, amounted to $204 million, which RPA invested in social programs.[3]

Notable members include Gayle McLaughlin and Jovanka Beckles.

  1. ^ Brenneman, Richard (November 17, 2006). "Green Candidate's Lead for Richmond Mayor Grows". The Berkeley Daily Planet.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chan2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Richman2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Lauer, Katie (April 1, 2022). "Richmond City Council selects redistricting map ahead of November election". East Bay Times.
  5. ^ "Richmond City Council Moves Forward with Ranked Choice Voting Ballot Measure". CalRCV.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Taylor2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cagle2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b Hirsch, Michael (July 12, 2018). "Taking on Dirty Power in Richmond, California". The Indypendent.