Rex Richardson elected vice mayor of Long Beach

Councilman Rex Richardson was elected vice mayor of Long Beach by his peers on the City Council Tuesday night during a reorganization of the council after Suja Lowenthal’s departure.

At 32, the councilman is the youngest person in city history to hold the position. He is also the first African American male to serve as vice mayor (Doris Topsy-Elvord was elected to the position as the first African American female in 1992) .

“I am honored to have my colleagues’ confidence to serve as our city’s vice mayor,” Richardson said in a written statement. “I accept this as a recognition of our entire community’s progress since taking office two years ago. I look forward to working with Mayor Garcia and each of my fellow councilmembers as we continue to build a better Long Beach.”

Also nominated for the role was 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews, who just began his third term on the dais. The council vote was split 5-4 in favor of Richardson.

First District Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, who nominated Richardson, said she was proud to see him ea the title.

“Rex has done an outstanding job tuing North Long Beach into one of the most active areas in our city and has been a strong voice for working men and women in this city,” she said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working alongside him to continue to move Long Beach forward.”

The primary duties of vice mayor include ruing the council meetings when the mayor is not present and performing functions of the mayor if he or she is not able.

Richardson has served on the nine-member council for two years. Lowenthal was termed out this month after serving on the council for 10 years.