Richmond city council races kick into gear ahead of 2026 election

Doria Robinson held her campaign kickoff event to formally enter the race for Richmond City Council District 3 last Saturday, officially declaring her reelection bid.

“We knew the holidays were coming up, and people kept asking me, ' Are you running?” Robinson said at the Richmond Civic Center Plaza event. “I realized that we really just needed to announce, like, good, bad, the ugly. We just needed to get the word out there and start this race.”

Robinson, who is completing her first term on the council, highlighted accomplishments including working with colleagues to improve the city’s financial stability and removing Richmond from the state auditor’s high-risk local agencies list. She also referenced her work in bringing in new tax revenue from Chevron and her focus on public safety and economic development.

Robinson’s kickoff featured speakers including Contra Costa County Supervisor John Goia, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vernon Whitmore, and Richmond City Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, who praised Robinson's accomplishments and leadership in the community.

So far, Robinson is the only candidate in next June’s city elections to receive Gioia’s endorsement.

“It’s going to be a hard race,” Robinson said. “I’ve already been warned by all kinds of dirty dealings that may or may not happen. It’s going to be a hard race, so we’re really, really going to need your support.”

Robinson said she has already secured over 62 endorsements and is seeking campaign contributions to fund signs, social media outreach, and volunteer coordination.

The announcement comes as another candidate, Brandon Evans, is mounting a campaign for the same seat. Evans has scheduled two public events, including a “Meet & Greet” on Sunday, December 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Multicultural Bookstore in Richmond.

Evans is also appearing as a panelist with Contra Costa County Board of Education Trustee Daniel Nathan-Heiss at “Education & The Economy: The Intersection of a Vibrant Future,” scheduled for December 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Paradise Gym. The event, moderated by Richmond City Councilmember Dr. Jamelia Brown, will feature a discussion on how education and the economy connect in Contra Costa County.

Pursell breaks from RPA, launches campaign for District 4 seat

In District 4, candidate Jamin Pursell is seeking to unseat incumbent Soheila Bana with a message centered on revitalizing areas like Hilltop Mall and ensuring every neighborhood is safe, clean, and connected.

Bana said she will launch her campaign in a couple of months and is currently focused on city council duties, her work with various boards, and preparing to spend time with her children during the holidays.

At Pursell’s recent kickoff rally, El Cerrito Mayor Pro Tem Gabriel Quinto, Councilmember Doria Robinson, and Pinole City Councilmember Devin Murphy offered their support. Pursell said his campaign will center on improving infrastructure, strengthening economic development, and expanding affordable housing throughout the city.

In an interview, Pursell, a former member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance, said he has distanced himself from the organization over disagreements about values and approach.

“I found that I had a number of issues that I was finding myself not agreeing with them on and the chances they were taking,” Pursell said. “There was flippancy with regard to the feelings of other people, and so I felt that that’s not what I want to bring to my community.”

Pursell also said he felt the RPA failed to recognize long-standing community work outside its own membership.

“There’s a lack of valuing the work people have been doing in this city for many years. The idea that if someone didn’t do it with the RPA, it somehow doesn’t matter. That’s completely wrong,” Pursell said. “We should be looking at what’s better for the community of Richmond, no matter where people come from. The RPA can be one aspect of the political landscape, but it shouldn’t dominate or punish people for not adhering to its ideology.”

Keycha Gallon is also running for the District 4 seat. Gallon said endorsements would be announced in the coming weeks once a campaign website is completed. Gallon said her current efforts are focused on providing holiday resources for underserved families and reviewing California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program proposals to ensure funding reaches organizations serving high-risk public safety areas.

Richmond City Councilmember Cesar Zepeda is running for reelection in District 2 and, so far, has not drawn any challengers.

Four candidates have filed to run for Richmond mayor in the June 2026 primary, including incumbent Eduardo Martinez and challengers Ahmad Anderson, Demnlus Johnson III, and Mark Wassberg, according to city clerk filings.

If you or someone you know is considering running for office, Grandview Independent wants to hear from you. Contact Grandview Independent at editorial@grandviewindependent.com

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