Richmondside Richmond City Council candidate forums
WHAT: District 1 candidates night, the first of three Richmondside co-hosted Richmond City Council candidate nights.
WHEN: Sept. 18., 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
WHERE: CoBiz, 1503 Macdonald Ave. Please RSVP here. Spanish translation will be available. The event will be streamed via this Zoom link.
MORE INFO: Not sure which district you live in? Visit Richmond’s city voting district map.
OTHER KEY ELECTION DATES: District 6 candidate forum is Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium Bermuda Room. District 5 is Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Easter Hill United Methodist Church, 3911 Cutting Blvd. Please RSVP for either event here.
Oct. 7, ballots are sent to voters; Oct. 8, vote by mail ballot drop-off locations open; Oct. 21 is last day to register to vote. Visit the Contra Costa County My Voting Information page for more information or check out our Contra Costa County how-to-vote guide.
We want to hear from you! What should we ask the candidates? Email your questions to hello@richmondside.org.
We updated this story to include details for District 5 and District 6 meet-the-candidate nights.
In about a month, Richmond voters will begin casting mail-in ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election. Among the important decisions to be made are who should fill the three open seats on our City Council, in Districts 1, 5 and 6.
Increasing government transparency and civic engagement are two of our newsroom’s core values. And since Richmond City Council is the lead municipal body controlling the city’s finances and making decisions impacting everything from parks to public safety, we wanted to give residents a chance to hear directly from the candidates and ask them questions.
That’s why we’re pleased to announce that Richmondside is co-hosting election forums in each of the three districts with council races this year, where candidates will briefly present their platforms and take questions from local journalists and audience members.
The free events are being presented in partnership with Richmond Confidential, El Tímpano and The Contra Costa Pulse.
First up is District 1, where candidates Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg and incumbent Councilmember Melvin Willis are vying to represent the Iron Triangle/Belding Woods area. The forum will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at CoBiz, 1503 Macdonald Ave.
Richmond City Council candidates (scroll with arrows to view)
Ahmad Anderson, Richmond City Council District 5 candidate Credit: Andrew Whitmore 
Jamelia Brown, Richmond City Council District 1 candidate Credit: Courtesy Jamelia Brown 
Shawn Dunning, Richmond City Council District 6 candidate Credit: Courtesy Shawn Dunning 
Claudia Jimenez, Richmond City Council incumbent candidate, District 6 Credit: Courtesy Claudia Jimenez 
Mark Wassberg, Richmond City Council District 1 candidate Credit: Courtesy Richmond Confidential 
Melvin Willis, Richmond City Council incumbent candidate, District 1 Credit: David Buechner 
Sue Wilson, Richmond City Council District 5 candidate Credit: Courtesy Sue Wilson
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Spanish interpreters will be available. Please RSVP to attend the District 1 event.
District 5 and 6 meet-the-candidate nights
District 6 (North & East)
Candidates: Shawn Dunning, Claudia Jimenez (incumbent)
Date: Sept. 30
Location: Bermuda Room @ Memorial Auditorium
2533 Nevin Ave.
District 5 (Marina Bay, Richmond Annex, Eastshore, Cortez/Stege, Panhandle Annex, Parkview, Laurel Park, Southwest Annex)
District 5 (Marina Bay, Richmond Annex, Eastshore, Cortez/Stege, Panhandle Annex, Parkview, Laurel Park, Southwest Annex)
Candidates: Ahmad Anderson and Sue Wilson
Date: Oct. 8
Location: Easter Hill United Methodist Church, 3911 Cutting Blvd,. Richmond, 94804
We hope you’ll join us to learn more about who is competing to represent your neighborhood on the Richmond City Council, get informed about local issues, and add your voice to the conversation.
Not sure which district you live in? Visit Richmond’s city voting district map.
What time Oct. 8 to meet District 5 candidates ?
Hi Paul, All events will be 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.