On Nov. 3 Richmond voters will choose a new mayor in the city’s first-ever primary run-off election. Richmondside is giving residents a chance to prepare by hosting a moderated forum where you can ask candidates Ahmad Anderson and Claudia Jimenez your questions.
Richmondside mayoral forum
When: Oct. 1 from 6:30–8 p.m.
Where: Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza
Get tickets: The event is free, but please RSVP.
Richmondside is co-hosting the event with Richmond Confidential, a publication of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and The Advocate, the student-led newspaper at Contra Costa College. The forum will be held on Thur., Oct. 1 at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
At the forum, the candidates will have an opportunity to give opening statements before taking questions from Richmondside’s City Hall Reporter Joel Umanzor and Editor-in-Chief Kari Hulac. We’ll also ask questions submitted ahead of time by our readers and allow time for live audience questions.
The forums are free and open to all (but please register). Spanish interpretation will be available on site, upon request. The forum will also be live-streamed on richmondside.org.
What does Richmond’s mayor do?
Richmond’s city charter was approved by the state Legislature in February 1909, a time when there were fewer than 10,000 residents living here.
Since then, voters have amended the city charter several times to make adjustments to certain aspects of it, including the mayor’s job, which is a four-year elected-at-large position, meaning every voter in the city can cast a vote in the race.
In addition to having the same powers and duties as other city council members, the mayor is considered the “chief elected officer and ceremonial head of the City, responsible for providing civic leadership and taking issues to the people.” That includes garnering public interest in and support for municipal activities. The mayor is expected to be “concerned with the general development of the community and the general level of city services and activity programs and may develop and inform residents of policies and programs that he or she believes are necessary for the city’s welfare.”
The mayor also makes appointments to city boards, commissions and committees and can make removals, with the concurrence of at least three to four other council members. The mayor is also in charge of setting the city council’s meeting agenda and making sure that the meeting rules are followed.
Why is Richmond having a mayoral run-off election?
Last June, the city switched to a primary election system for city offices. Because no one won a majority of the votes cast in the primary, the top two vote-getters, Anderson and Jimenez, advanced to a run-off.
We look forward to seeing you at the forum and to helping you learn more about who is competing to represent you and Richmond as a whole.
More election info and resources
Get full coverage of the upcoming election with Richmondside’s 2026 voters guide.
Mayoral debate: The Leaque of Women Voters will hold a mayoral debate on Sept. 21 at the city council chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event can also be watched via Zoom.
Key dates: Mail-in ballots will be sent Oct. 5. The last day to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 19. The election is Nov. 3.
Learn more: Visit the city’s election page for additional details and to read candidate statements.
