Richmond's Election: key candidates and reform measures to shape the city's future

City Council races in Districts 1, 5, and 6 feature both familiar faces and new voices, like Councilmember Melvin Willis, Ahmad Anderson, Sue Wilson, Shawn Dunning, Dr. Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg, and Vice Mayor Claudia Jiménez, each vying for seats that will determine Richmond's path forward.

Richmond's Election: key candidates and reform measures to shape the city's future

As the election season heats up in Richmond, critical local issues are front and center, with candidates focusing on solutions for homelessness, youth initiatives, and human trafficking. City Council races in Districts 1, 5, and 6 feature both familiar faces and new voices, like Councilmember Melvin Willis, Ahmad Anderson, Sue Wilson, Shawn Dunning, Dr. Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg, and Vice Mayor Claudia Jiménez, each vying for seats that will determine Richmond's path forward. Additionally, proposed reforms like ranked-choice voting and election measures will influence how Richmond votes in the future.

Richmond City Council Race
Stay informed as we cover the candidates, campaigns, and decisions that matter most.
Melvin Willis spotlights homelessness, human trafficking, and youth initiatives in Richmond Council reelection
As Richmond City Councilmember Melvin Willis seeks reelection, he is doubling down on efforts to address pressing issues such as homelessness and human trafficking and expanding youth programs. Willis, representing District 1 in Richmond, has focused his platform on building community-centered solutions.
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Anderson only Richmond Council candidate to earn West County Democratic Club endorsement
Of the seven council hopefuls seeking one of three seats on the dias, District 5 resident Ahmad Anderson was the only Richmond City Council candidate to earn an endorsement from the West County Democratic Club endorsement. Anderson, a resident of the Laurel Park neighborhood, received 92 of the 117 votes
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Council candidate says rights violated after meeting ejection
District 1 Richmond City Council candidate and frequent meeting commentator Mark Wassberg says his rights were violated when he was removed from a special meeting last week.
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin won’t seek re-election; RPA’s Sue Wilson to run for District 5 seat
Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin announced this morning she will not seek re-election to the Richmond City Council this year and is “passing the torch” to Richmond Progressive Alliance member Sue Wilson. McLaughlin was first elected to the Richmond City Council in 2004. Two years later, she was elected as mayor, making
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Sue Wilson’s campaign: from behind-the-scenes activism to city council spotlight
A seasoned activist and environmental advocate, Sue Wilson is making her first bid for public office, seeking to fill the District 5 Richmond City Council seat vacated by Gayle McLaughlin.
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Richmond candidates’ campaign contributions revealed: Jimenez leads fundraising efforts
Richmond candidates’ campaign contributions revealed: Jimenez leads fundraising efforts
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Dr. Jamelia Brown is running for City Council in District 1 to “See a Better Richmond”
Dr. Jamelia Brown is running for City Council in District 1 to “See a Better Richmond”
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Richmond Council candidate Ahmad Anderson comes alive in District 5
Ahmad Anderson is running for Richmond City Council in District 5, positioning himself as a fresh voice with innovative ideas.
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Council candidate Shawn Dunning calls for collaborative leadership in District 6 council run
Richmond City Council candidate Shawn Dunning, who previously ran for mayor in 2022, has spent over two decades in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He says his campaign is driven by a deep love for Richmond and a desire to foster more inclusive and collaborative decision-making.
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Dunning’s Richmond City Council campaign kick-off draws a crowd
North and East resident Shawn Dunning launched his bid for a Richmond City Council seat Saturday afternoon amid a hearty group of supporters who came out to celebrate the official start of the campaign. Dunning is running for the District 6 seat currently held by Claudia Jimenez. As a consultant
Grandview IndependentLinda Hemmila
Dunning announces 2024 Richmond City Council run
Richmond resident Shawn Dunning, who ran for mayor last year, announced today he is running for the city’s District 6 council seat in 2024. In a statement issued this morning, Dunning said, “On Friday, August 25th, 2023, Shawn Dunning filed a “Candidate Intention Statement” with the Richmond City Clerk’s Office
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Election reform
Richmond voters have two options to change how city council members are elected on the November ballot.
Council moves forward with ranked choice voting ballot measure
The Richmond City Council advanced a proposed ranked choice ballot measure to be added to the 2024 General Election ballot after a presentation at a special meeting Tuesday night. The item directs the city attorney’s office to draft language for a ranked-choice ballot measure and an ordinance to allow
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Richmond City Council weighs different election reform measure
Fresh off the Richmond Election Reform Act petition certification, the Richmond City Council will now consider placing its own election reform measure on the November ballot. Voting reform organization California Ranked Choice Voting will present a report on instant runoff voting to the council at the April 30 meeting. Cal
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Richmond Election Reform Act headed for November ballot
A petition to introduce primary municipal elections in Richmond City elections has been certified by the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department. Backers of the Richmond Election Reform Act submitted 15,139 to the election’s office on March 20, said Helen Nolan, Assistant Registrar-Contra Costa County. “The petition was determined
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila
Signature gatherers hit the streets for Richmond election initiative
Signature gatherers have begun work to place an initiative on the ballot to change how Richmond voters elect city council members and the mayor. The measure’s leading proponent, Don Gosney, has offered to come to you for a signature. A political action committee called Richmond Votes Matters has proposed an
Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

Candidate interviews were conducted by Grandview Independent with the goal of profiling all who are running for office in Richmond. These profiles aim to provide information to Richmond voters and are not endorsements.

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