Ballots are now arriving in mailboxes for Long Beach‘s mayoral primary, launching a closely watched race in the second-largest city in Los Angeles County.

Six candidates, including incumbent Mayor Rex Richardson, are competing at a time when the city faces mounting challenges: a projected $60 million budget deficit, persistently high homelessness, rising traffic deaths at their highest level in more than a decade, and growing debate over immigration enforcement and public safety.

NBCLA spoke with all six candidates about the biggest issues facing the city and where they believe Long Beach is headed.

When asked whether the city is better off today than it was four years ago, five of the six candidates said no.

“Definitely not,” said Joshua Rodriguez.

“I don’t feel like it’s on the right track,” said Terri Rivers.

“No, I don’t think so,” said Lee Goldin.

“Unfortunately, the city is not on the right track,” said Oscar Cancio.

“I don’t think it’s gotten better,” said Chris Sweeney.

Mayor Rex Richardson offered a different perspective.

“The job is not finished, and there is much more work to do,” Richardson said.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Oscar Cancio answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Lee Goldin answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Rex Richardson answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Terri Rivers answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Joshua Rodriguez answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Is Long Beach on the right track? In this one-on-one interview, Chris Sweeney answers the questions voters are asking ahead of the Long Beach mayoral election—covering the budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, and the future of the city. We asked every candidate the same direct questions to make it easy for you to compare where they stand.

Homelessness and accountability

Homelessness remains one of the most visible and persistent issues in Long Beach.

Richardson pointed to progress during his administration.

“Street-level homelessness has declined 17% since we got started,” he said.

However, overall homelessness has fluctuated in recent years, declining slightly in 2024 before rising again the following year. The largest spike came in 2022 after pandemic-era gaps in data collection. The 2022 count was conducted before Richardson was elected. 

Several challengers criticized the city’s approach.

“To the city, success is taking someone off the streets and putting them into a shelter, but then they’re forgotten,” said Chris Sweeney. “It’s a repetitive cycle. We need reformative programs.”

Other candidates called for expanded mental health and addiction services, while some pushed for stricter enforcement.

Rodriguez proposed deploying the National Guard to assist outreach efforts and enforcing laws for those who refuse services.

Following an audit examining tens of millions spent on homelessness programs that forced the city to sever ties with its largest provider over serious red flags regarding billing and whether services paid for were received, several candidates raised concerns about oversight.

“Where is the accountability?” Cancio asked.

Multiple candidates said they lack confidence in current homelessness leadership, while Richardson defended his administration.

“I have the utmost confidence that we are going to hold every single contractor accountable,” he said.

Traffic deaths and public safety

All six candidates acknowledged concern over rising traffic fatalities. Several called for increased enforcement.

“Let the officers do their jobs, enforce tickets,” Sweeney said.

“We need enforcement. People need to know there are consequences,” Rodriguez added.

Others emphasized infrastructure improvements.

“Long Beach has already reduced traffic speeds across our city,” Richardson said, adding that future budgets will include additional safety enhancements.

Goldin offered a simpler approach: “There’s this old technology called speed bumps.”

Budget deficit forces tough choices

The city is also facing a significant budget shortfall, estimated at around $60 million that was initially projected at $80 million.

Candidates offered differing approaches.

“Cut the fat,” Sweeney said.

Goldin emphasized efficiency without cutting jobs, while Rivers pointed to potential mismanagement.

“It’s really looking at where the mismanagement of the money is,” she said.

Cancio said staff reductions may be necessary, while Rodriguez proposed cutting what he described as excess middle management.

Richardson said he plans to introduce a balanced budget within 60 days.

“We want to make sure any cuts are not placed on the backs of working families,” he said.

Sharp divisions on immigration and ICE cooperation

Candidates also outlined starkly different positions on immigration enforcement and whether Long Beach should cooperate with federal authorities like ICE.

Mayor Rex Richardson defended the city’s current approach.

“As mayor, we have strengthened our Values Act policies… we don’t collaborate with ICE, and we step up to support our local families,” he said. “Federal enforcement is a federal responsibility. Our responsibility in Long Beach is public safety for everyone.”

Joshua Rodriguez took a sharply different stance.

“If someone committed a crime and they’re undocumented, we need to hand them over to ICE,” he said. “We have to rescind our sanctuary city policy.”

Oscar Cancio emphasized targeted enforcement but stopped short of full partnership.

“Public safety needs to be for all residents… whether they are here with legal status or not,” he said. “We need to make sure enforcement is targeted and that we keep our streets safe.”

Terri Rivers focused on transparency with residents.

“We have to protect the people,” she said. “Let the community know what’s happening so they can be aware.”

Chris Sweeney focused on safety.

“Everybody deserves to feel safe… Should there be cooperation with ICE? Absolutely not,” he said.

Lee Goldin offered the most aggressive opposition to federal enforcement.

“If I was mayor, I would tell police to arrest ICE agents as domestic terrorists,” he said, also suggesting penalties for businesses that cooperate with them.

A defining moment for Long Beach

As ballots reach voters, the race is highlighting clear contrasts in leadership style and policy priorities.

The next mayor will face immediate decisions on budget cuts, homelessness strategy, public safety, and the city’s relationship with federal immigration enforcement.

For voters, the question now is which vision they trust to move Long Beach forward.