Richmond politics took on a new twist August 8 when Councilman Tom Butt filed to run for Mayor, hoping to replace Gayle McLaughlin who is termed out. Butt’s move derailed the Mayoral campaign of Mike Parker who had been running hard since February with Richmond Progressive Alliance backing. Parker subsequently withdrew from the race leaving Butt, Nat Bates and Uche Uwahemu in a 3 way contest. Tom Herriman reports from Richmond. (Photo Chevron will spend $6.1 million on billboards and other campaign ads supporting their favored candidates in the 2014 election.)