Candidates are jumping into the race for Riverside mayor after current Mayor Rusty Bailey announced his retirement.
Bailey announced his retirement Tuesday.
That same day, Riverside City Council member Andy Melendrez announced he would run for the open seat.
Citing his experience as a four-term City Council member and his background coming from a low-income community of color, Melendrez said he expects to connect with voters in Riverside.
He said one of his top priorities will be homelessness.
Another candidate, Riverside school trustee Patricia Lock Dawson, announced her run for mayor Wednesday.
She has the endorsement of current Mayor Rusty Bailey, and is a life-long Riverside resident.
According to Lock Dawson, her priorities include homelessness, balancing the city’s budget, and keeping streets and park clean and accessible.
