Chevron, soft drink industry pour millions into Richmond election

Poor city of Richmond. Not only is Chevron spending $1.2 million trying to elect three friendlies to the refinery town’s City Council, but an entire industry is arrayed against its sugar-sweetened beverage tax initiative. The soft drink industry, with help from the likes of Chronicle columnist Willie Brown, has so far pumped $2.2 million into the effort, Richmond Confidential says. Its vehicle: the Community Coalition Against Beverage Taxes.