Richmond incumbents claim victory as mayoral race heads to November runoff

Claudia Jiménez led a five-candidate field in Tuesday's Richmond mayoral primary, according to unofficial results posted Friday by the Contra Costa County Elections Division.

Jiménez collected 6,915 votes, or 37.55 percent of votes cast, with all precincts reporting. Ahmad Anderson finished second with 5,306 votes, or 28.82 percent. Eduardo Martinez placed third with 3,590 votes, or 19.50 percent.

No candidate received 50 percent of the votes cast, and so the top two finishers will advance to the November general election. About 55,200 ballots remain uncounted countywide. The county's next results update is expected on Wednesday, June 10.

Anderson said he has no plans to slow down. 

Candidate Interview: Ahmad Anderson runs for mayor of Richmond

Ahmad Anderson has lived in Richmond’s Laurel Park neighborhood for more than 55 years and built a career in community advocacy and workforce development. He is running for mayor on a platform that ties public safety, housing, and economic opportunity into what he calls a “people-centered” vision for the

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

"We ran a very good race, and that was based upon us listening to the people, and we look forward to moving forward in November," Anderson said. He urged voters to stay engaged. "Not only does your voice count, but your actions count as well, and that action is demonstrated by voting. Please get out to vote in November."

Jiménez did not respond to a request for comment. Her campaign said in a social media post that it was confident she would advance. 

Candidate Interview: Claudia Jimenez runs for mayor of Richmond

Claudia Jimenez arrived in the United States in 2007 without speaking a word of English, enrolled in ESL classes in Berkeley, passed a language proficiency exam, and gained admission to UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design. By then, she had already spent a decade in the mountains of southwestern Colombia

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

"While there are still thousands of votes left to count and a few weeks until the election is certified, Claudia's healthy lead over second-place finisher Ahmad Anderson gives us confidence that Claudia will be one of the two candidates on the ballot in the general election in November," the post said.

In District 3, incumbent Doria Robinson received 69.76 percent of the vote over challenger Brandon Evans, with all precincts reporting. 

Candidate Interview: Doria Robinson runs for re-election in Richmond’s District 3

Doria Robinson grew up on Fifth and Nevin in the 1980s, when the crack epidemic was tearing through her neighborhood, and drive-by shootings were routine. “My friends I grew up with did not make it,” she said. “Most of them.” Now a sitting Richmond City Councilmember seeking a second term

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

Robinson said the win belonged to the community. "This victory belongs to all of us," she said. "Richmond raised me. It shaped my values. It taught me that real change happens when neighbors work together, take care of each other, and refuse to give up on the place we call home."

In District 4, incumbent Soheila Bana received 67.03 percent of the vote over two challengers, with all precincts reporting. 

Candidate Interview: Soheila Bana seeks a second term on Richmond City Council District 4

Richmond City Councilmember Soheila Bana is seeking a second term representing District 4, pointing to her work on wildfire preparedness and public safety while drawing on a personal history shaped by political repression in Iran. Bana came of age during the 1979 Iranian revolution, part of a generation that found

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

"I am humbled by the trust and support of our community and deeply honored by the opportunity to serve Richmond for another term," Bana said. "I look forward to continuing our work together to build a safer and more united Richmond."

Cesar Zepeda ran uncontested in District 2 and will return to the council. 

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