Two incumbents – Jim Rodger and Maria Viramontes -- are expected to be re-elected in Tuesday’s election, leaving three newcomers vying for a seat unexpectedly vacated by council veteran Richard Griffin, who retired last month after 24 years in office.

The newcomers, Courtland “Corky” Booze, Ludmyrna Lopez, and Jim Jenkins say Richmond needs new leadership now that the city’s financial troubles have turned into a budget surplus and violence continues to escalate. There have been 34 homicides in Richmond so far this year, compared with 37 in all of last year.

For many, new blood on the council also could reduce the infighting that has plagued city politics in recent years.

Council member Tom Butt wrote on his website that Mayor Irma Anderson has exacerbated a divide on the council between her supporters and detractors.

“When she ran for mayor, she touted her ability to “bring the council together.” What any councilmember will tell you privately is that she did exactly that. She united the council as never before in that they all despise her management style,” he wrote.
Council member Tony Thurmond agreed that the council has to do a better job working together.

“I want to see the voters elect a council that can work together,” Thurmond said.

Booze, 62, a former teacher and businessman, is running for the seventh time. By his own account, he has attended every city council meeting for the last six years and considers himself an “unofficial council member.”

Griffin, whose name is still on the ballot, considers Booze his heir apparent, telling Booze at his retirement announcement: “The seat is yours now.”

Lopez, 37, is running for her first elected office. She grew up in the Belding Woods neighborhood of Richmond and earned a master’s degree in public policy at Carnegie Mellon.

As an undergraduate, Lopez worked as an intern for former California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, and later returned to work as a San Francisco financial analyst in Brown’s mayoral administration.

”I came back to Richmond because I wanted to make a difference in the community I love so much,” Lopez said.

Jenkins is completely new to politics. After turning 50 earlier this year, he decided he wanted to be more active in changing his city for the better.

“People are ready for a change,” said Jenkins, “And I want to be a voice for that change.”

Thurmond, 38, is running unopposed for a two-year term in a fourth seat that will be eliminated in 2008.

Three candidates are vying for mayor. Anderson is seeking re-election for her third term against current council member Gayle McLaughlin and former council member Gary Bell, a banker.

Another issue on every candidate’s platform is the relocation of city hall to the downtown area. In May 2004, city hall was moved to the Harbor View area of Richmond, more than two miles from the Richmond BART station. Some candidates say it plays to the perception that the city council is out of touch with the people.

Job creation, especially among youth, is also a top issue in this election, as well as the development of San Pablo and Macdonald Avenue corridors.

“Richmond is a wonderful city, but we need effective leadership to make it even better,” Thurmond said.