Candidate for
Mayor; City of Richmond

BiographyCouncilmember "Nat" Bates has been a resident of the City of Richmond since age ten. His education included Stege Elementary, Harry Ells Junior High, El Cerrito High, and Contra Costa College. During Nat's educational career he was an outstanding athlete as a basketball and baseball player. In 1958, he began working with Alameda County Probation Department as a Group Counselor, counseling young offenders. After several promotions, Nat retired as an administrative supervisor in 1989. Upon retirement, Nat was employed as Field Representative to California State Senator Dan Boatwright until the senator was redistricted out of Richmond in 1993.

Nat began his political career in 1967 when he was elected to a six-year term on his first try to the Richmond City Council. He was reelected in 1973 to another six-year term through 1979. After the voters reduced the council term from six to four years, Nat was again reelected in 1979 which represented a total of 16 consecutive years through 1983. As a Councilmember, Nat was elected twice as Richmond City Mayor by his colleagues in 1971-1972 and 1976-1977. After being out of political office for some 12 years, Nat again ran for the City Council in 1995 and was elected for yet another four-year term. He was reelected in 1999 and 2004. His election in 2004 gave him an unprecedented six terms of elective office as a Richmond City Councilmember. Upon his term expiration in 2008, Nat will hold the illustrious honor of having served as the longest councilmember in the history of the City of Richmond. As the senior member and dean of the City Council, Nat is respected for his professional ability to get things done while working as a team member with the council and staff.

Nat who was married to the late Shirley Christine Adams Bates together have four children, Michael (deceased), Gale, Larry, and Steven, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

AccomplishmentsDuring his long and distinguish career, Nat has received several State and National appointments and recognition awards.

He was elected:

• Chairman of the Contra Costa Mayors Conference, 1971-1972
• President East Bay Division League of Cities, 1972-1973
• Member, League of Cities, Board of Directors, 1973-1975
• National League of Cities Board of Directors, 1976-1980
• Lifetime appointment to National League of Cities Advisory Board, 1980 to Present
• Don Bosco Award, 2004
• Richmond Democratic Club "Man of the Year Award," 1999

• Founding member of (BMW) Black Men and Women Political organization
• Past President of Richmond Democratic Club
• Past President and member of East Bay Performing Arts
• Past President of The Judge Patricia McKinley Foundation

• The Richmond Boys Club
• Camp Fire Girls
• Mt. Diablo Boys Scouts
• Richmond YMCA
• El Sobrante Girls Club
• Richmond Museum Endowment Fund
• Richmond Unified Education Fund

• Teachers Credential, California State University, Hayward