[6][7] RPA increased school funding, ended cooperation with ICE for non-criminals, and enacted Ban the Box.

In 2003[7][6][2] or 2004,[1][3] an "unlikely group of Greens, Latinos, progressive Democrats, African Americans, and free spirits" founded RPA.

[7] McLaughlin cited Peter Camejo's run in 2002 as Green Party candidate for Governor of California as their inspiration for getting involved in politics.

In 2005, RPA supported transfer of the former Zeneca site at Campus Bay to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.

RPA opposed, Measure U, which would enable casino building, like the one proposed for the former Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot, was successfully defeated at the ballot box.

[12] In 2014, Richmond municipal elections attracted national media attention, as they were seen as a "David versus Goliath" race in the wake of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court case.

However, Parker withdrew from the race in August and endorsed Tom Butt, in order to avoid splitting the left and center-left vote.

[15] Butt beat Chevron's mayoral candidate, Nat Bates, with more than 51 percent of the election and avoiding a run-off.

[17] Richmond voters approved a controversial rent-control and just-cause eviction measure written and backed by the RPA.

[21] In the same year, RPA member Jovanka Beckles and former Obama 2008 campaign coordinator Buffy Wicks competed for the California Assembly District 15 seat.

[22][23] In 2019, Butt blamed the Richmond Progressive Alliance for obstructing appointments to city positions, which are done typically at the prerogative of the mayor.