Election'26
The last time Cesar Zepeda's political future hung in the balance, it took a name pulled from a bag and then a recount to settle things. This time, nobody challenged him at all.
Zepeda secured reelection to his District 2 seat on the Richmond City Council without opposition Friday, as the city's nomination filing period closed at 5 p.m. with no other candidate qualifying to face him on the June 2 ballot.
The uncontested finish is a striking contrast to the saga that put him in office in the first place. Contra Costa County had initially certified the District 2 results as a tie, and selecting the winner fell to the city of Richmond under resolution 7922, which the council had adopted unanimously. The resolution stated that a race resulting in a tie would be broken by a lot.
City Clerk Pamela Christian placed both candidates' names in sealed envelopes and drew one in the city council chambers with both candidates and selected others present. Zepeda's name came out of the bag.
Council race decided by name pull
Cesar Zepeda has won Richmond’s District 2 council race after his name was pulled from a bag. Zepeda was selected by City Clerk Pamela Christian, who placed both candidates’ names in sealed envelopes and drew one of them this morning in the city council chambers with both candidates and assorted
Linda Hemmila
That was not the end of it; Butt requested a recount. In one of the most debated local races of the November 2022 election, the Contra Costa County Elections Division completed the recount, declaring Zepeda the winner with 1,921 votes, while Andrew Butt received 1,918.
The name-draw process created more than a little controversy, with voters on social media grappling with the idea of choosing a councilmember by a game of chance, something many felt was anything but democratic.
Zepeda wins Richmond D2 recount
Cesar Zepeda has won the District 2 city council recount by just three votes. In one of the most debated local races of the November 8 election, the Contra Costa County Elections Division completed the recount for the City of Richmond, declaring Zepeda the winner with 1,921 votes, while
Linda Hemmila
No such drama accompanied Friday's close of nominations. Rocky Chau, who had pulled District 2 papers, notified the city clerk he would not file. Robert Lipton never pulled papers at all.
Left: Rocky Chou of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network speaks against renewing the city’s Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras during the Richmond City Council meeting on March 3, 2026. Right: Rob Lipton speaks during a protest outside the Chevron Richmond Refinery in January 2026.
The rest of the June 2 ballot is considerably more crowded. Five candidates qualified for the at-large mayor's race: incumbent Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg. District 3 incumbent Doria Robinson faces Brandon Evans, and District 4 incumbent Soheila Bana faces two challengers, Keycha Gallon and Jamin Pursell.
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