Watch Nat Bates For Mayor: Identity Politics and Corporate Influence in the Bay Area's Oil Town

Nat Bates For Mayor is a political documentary from 2017 that explores the identity politics and corporate influence in the Bay Area's oil town. The documentary follows Nat Bates, a former mayor of Richmond, California, as he runs for mayor in the upcoming election against incumbent Tom Butt. As the documentary begins, we are introduced to the city of Richmond, a working-class community that has struggled with high crime rates, poverty, and pollution from nearby oil refineries. The city has a majority of African American and Latino residents, and tensions have often flared between different ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Nat Bates himself is a controversial figure in Richmond politics. A longtime city councilman and former mayor, Bates has been accused of being too cozy with corporate interests, particularly those of the Chevron oil refinery, which is the city's largest employer. Supporters of Bates argue that he has been effective in bringing jobs and economic development to Richmond, while critics say that he has put the interests of corporations ahead of those of the city's residents.

The documentary shows us the stark contrast in campaign styles between Bates and Butt. Bates relies heavily on mailers, yard signs, and other traditional campaign tactics, while Butt uses social media and community organizing to build support. We also see how the campaign is drawing attention from outside groups, including a conservative political action committee that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on attack ads against Butt.

Throughout the documentary, we hear from a range of voices representing different perspectives on Richmond's politics. Community activists, city officials, and business leaders all weigh in on the issues facing the city and how they think Bates or Butt would address them. We also hear from residents, who share their hopes and fears for the future of their city.

The heart of the documentary, however, is its focus on the role of corporate influence in Richmond. We learn about the history of the Chevron refinery in the city, which has had a longstanding impact on both the local economy and the health of residents. We see how the company has used its financial resources to influence politics in Richmond, including spending millions of dollars on political advertising and donations to political campaigns.

As the election draws closer, tensions in Richmond continue to rise. We see how the campaign is dividing the city along fault lines of race, class, and ideology. The documentary highlights the challenges of building multiracial, cross-class coalitions in a city that has so many entrenched interests and divisions.

In the end, the election results are close, and both Bates and Butt claim victory. But regardless of who is the official winner, the challenges facing Richmond and other working-class communities like it remain. Nat Bates For Mayor offers a thought-provoking look at the intersection of identity politics, corporate influence, and grassroots organizing in one of America's most complex communities.

Nat Bates For Mayor: Identity Politics and Corporate Influence in the Bay Area's Oil Town is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes.