‘I’m You’: Chris Sweeney Shares Personal Journey and Mayoral Vision for Long Beach

Long Beach mayoral candidate Chris Sweeney says his campaign is rooted in lived experience, small business advocacy and a “boots on the ground” approach to city leadership.During a recent appearance on The Jackie Rae Show, Sweeney discussed his journey from Long Beach State track athlete to entrepreneur, detailing years of financial hardship before launching Right Mealz, a Long Beach-based meal prep company that now works with major sports organizations, including FIFA, AEG and professional sports teams.“I’ve always been a person of service,” Sweeney said while reflecting on donating meals during the COVID-19 pandemic and organizing wildfire relief efforts earlier this year.Sweeney said public safety, homelessness and support for small businesses are among his top priorities. He criticized what he described as a difficult and overly bureaucratic permitting process for business owners and said the city should streamline approvals to help fill vacant storefronts across Long Beach.On homelessness, Sweeney called for more accountability and transparency within the city’s shelter system, including improved tracking of available shelter beds and expanded reformative programs focused on addiction treatment and long-term stability.Sweeney also emphasized increasing engagement between city leadership and residents, saying elected officials should be more visible in neighborhoods and more responsive to community concerns.“This city built who I am today,” Sweeney said. “I failed in this city. I’ve gotten back up in this city. … I’m you.”#LongBeach #LongBeachMayor #ChrisSweeney #JackieRaeShow #LongBeachPolitics #Election2026 #CaliforniaPolitics #LongBeachNews #LocalPolitics #CommunityLeadership #MayorRace #LongBeachCalifornia