Richmond Council candidate Ahmad Anderson comes alive in District 5
Laurel Park resident Ahmad Anderson is running for Richmond City Council in District 5, positioning himself as a fresh voice with innovative ideas and results-oriented leadership.
A native of Richmond, Anderson has lived on the south side all of his life, starting on South 18th Street before moving to 55th and Bayview and finally settling in the Laurel Park neighborhood, where he currently resides.
Anderson’s top campaign priorities include addressing the lack of services in underserved communities, supporting small businesses, improving community policing, and promoting economic development.
Anderson said that many Richmond neighborhoods, especially the south side, lack basic services such as street cleaning, vegetation management, and resources for the unhoused.
"My community is still suffering. South Richmond—with the highest rates of asthma. With still polluted communities that we keep talking about. We're going to clean these. We're going to clean these a remediate these areas," Anderson said. “If you go to those communities down Cutting Boulevard, you see that they are in disarray. You see that they are not safe neighborhoods or clean. This is not just a governance issue; it is a public health issue.”
Richmond’s Native Son
Both of his parents served as council members and mayors of Richmond. Booker T. Anderson Jr. Park is named after his father.
Anderson said his family background is a benefit, but he also emphasizes that not everyone born into a politically active family is ready to take on community leadership roles.
“It is definitely an asset, but it is an asset for individuals who step up and want to embrace it. Not everyone who is born into such a family is ready to do that type of work,” Anderson said.
Linda Hemmila
Soren Hemmila
Anderson, a UC Berkeley graduate with a B.A. in political science, first ran for council in 1985 and has sought office several times. Most recently, in 2020, coming up short against Councilmember Gayle Mclaughlin, who is not seeking reelection this year.
Anderson said running a campaign during Covid was a tough time, and he couldn’t demonstrate the work he had accomplished. After the election, Anderson went back to the drawing board.
Seeking a fresh start, Anderson signed up to become a member of the East Bay Leadership Council. The council provides training for individuals who want to further develop their skills and become leaders in their community.
“I took that class, which gave me insight into my presentation and delivery. Then, I put those things I’ve done into action and showed the community that I had skin in the game,” he said.
Anderson has served as Chair of Richmond’s Economic Development Commission, the Economic Development Chair for the NAACP, and the neighborhood council and is on the board of directors of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
Anderson is the Director of People and Culture at the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. The department houses the HR functions, including benefits, negotiations, policy procedures, and talent acquisitions.
When asked about Richmond's current state, Anderson is critical of the city council, accusing them of being too focused on global issues rather than addressing the needs of Richmond residents. He believes the city needs a change in leadership and a renewed focus on the community.
“The group-think has not been successful for Richmond. Our finances are shoddy. We lack the appropriate attention to talent acquisition, we lack the appropriate attention to negotiation, we lack the approaches to change,” Anderson said.
Economic development
Anderson believes the city needs to focus on job creation and workforce development. He wants to work with regional partners to drive economic growth but also make sure policies and procedures do not impact the city's most vulnerable communities.
“I want to talk about what we can do to really be a city of 'Pride and Purpose.' You need economic development, but it has to be socially responsible.”
Anderson wants to find ways to support small, local businesses and street vendors, including providing them with resources, training, and designated areas to operate. He sees this as important for economic development and community revitalization.
“We want to be able to support them in a reasonable, rational, and compliant way, provide them the skills and knowledge they need to become compliant, seek out the proper license, but also find a place where they can set up like many other communities, such as San Jose, and San Francisco. They’ve set up areas where those folks can not only survive in this new world but also thrive in Richmond, which is a dynamic and diverse community.”
Improving community policing
Anderson said we need a sustainable perspective on law and order. This involves examining community policing, providing culturally sensitive training for police officers, and recognizing officers' commitment to the city.
“Understaffing puts everybody at risk, our citizens, our police force, with mandatory overtime with morale, performance, and productivity, and in any job environment, that’s not a good thing,” he said. "I also believe we can provide services for the community by looking at those measures for social services and mental health as well.”
Anderson is running against Richmond Annex resident Sue Wilson and local chef Phillip Mitchell. Mitchell, the owner of R&R Hospitality Group, confirmed to Grandview Independent that he also plans to run for the District 5 council seat.
Daniel Nathan-Heiss, who announced his candidacy earlier in the year, has left the District 5 race.
Soren Hemmila
Anderson said he plans to run a grassroots campaign focused on door-to-door engagement and building relationships with the community. For more information, visit Anderson4richmond.com
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