This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Claudia Jimenez has released a statement acknowledging that she has been elected mayor of Richmond.
“I am deeply honored by the support that the people of Richmond have shown for this campaign and the principle that guided it – that we can build a city where we take care of one another and all rise together.
“I want to thank every person who knocked on doors, made phone calls, put up signs, donated money, or cast a vote for me. Our success today was the result of your efforts and an example of how much power each person has to shape the direction of our community.
“To those who did not vote for me, please know that I will work hard to earn your trust as Mayor. I look forward to spending the next four years building bridges and working side-by-side with anyone who is interested in making positive changes in our community. This includes candidate Ahmad Anderson, who also wants to see great things happen for our city.
“There is only one Richmond, and I feel grateful to be part of it with you.”
Election results released Friday showed Jimenez with 54.3% of the votes cast, pushing her ahead of Anderson by 2,203 votes and increasing the gap between them to 8.6 percentage points.
With 25,563 votes counted in the race and only a small number left to be counted, it appears certain that Jimenez will likely take the reins of a city council that is poised to make decisions regarding public safety employee contracts, police surveillance technology and a community engagement plan on how to spend the $550 million Chevron settlement, $100 million of which has been received so far.
Richmondside initially spoke to Jimenez right after Friday’s results were released but she stopped short of claiming victory at that point.
“It seems that my lead has grown, and we are feeling confident that it will go up a little more,” Jimenez said in that conversation. She then posted on Facebook later that night.
It’s unclear yet whether Anderson will concede defeat. However, on Friday morning he posted the following on Facebook:
“THANK YOU, RICHMOND! First and foremost, I want to thank the residents of Richmond for stepping up, stepping in, and casting your ballots in this election. Your vote is your voice, and your action matters! Civic engagement doesn’t end on Election Day. There are important issues we must continue to keep front and center, particularly the health, safety, and well-being of our community.”
Jimenez, who won the Richmond Progressive Alliance’s endorsement over reelection hopeful Mayor Eduardo Martinez in April, would become the latest RPA-affiliated candidate to become mayor, continuing the dominance of progressives in the city’s elections and becoming the first woman, immigrant mayor in the city’s history.
Citywide turnout was higher this go-around so far with 26,943 votes cast, compared to 21,674 votes that were cast during the primary. In total, Richmond has 59,820 registered voters.
According to Contra Costa County election records, there were 23,669 total ballots cast for mayor in 2010, 19,448 in 2014, 29,168 in 2018 and 27,919 in 2022.
Election results
Get election results local, regional races and statewide races of note.
For more info.: Visit Richmondside’s voter guide or the Contra Costa County elections page.
Jimenez and Anderson were competing in a run-off following the city’s first ever primary last June. In that race Anderson received 28% of the votes while Jimenez was in the top spot with 38%.
Richmond outgoing Mayor Eduardo Martinez congratulated both candidates Friday night, giving his first opinions of the race publicly. Until now, Martinez had not declared his support in the race.
“Claudia has demonstrated excellent leadership and compassion throughout her public service, qualities that will serve her well as Richmond’s Mayor-elect,” Martinez wrote on his Facebook. “I see her drive, financial acumen, and willingness to listen as an incredible foundation for leading and advancing our community. My hope is that her colleagues on the City Council will recognize these strengths and work collaboratively with the new Mayor to propel Richmond toward the great future its residents both desire and deserve.”
He also congratulated Anderson for his “hard-fought campaign.”
“Ahmad carried forward a longstanding family tradition of seeking to serve the Richmond community—a native son who endeavored to make his hometown a better place,” Martinez added. “The runoff results exemplify the diversity of opinions that make Richmond such a unique community and demonstrate that monolithic politics do not define us.”
Martinez said that he hopes the Richmond community can put differences “together in pursuit of the greater good of our community.”
“I hope that one day we will consistently choose love over hate, people over profits, compassion over indifference, and tolerance over bigotry,” Martinez said.
If a majority of council agrees on who to appoint as Jimenez’s successor in District 6, it all but guarantees that the RPA maintains its grasp over how the governing body shapes city policies. If they can’t agree, there will be two special elections, a primary and a run-off, where anyone in the district can run.
The council has 60 days to appoint a successor, and that appointee would serve until the next election.
If it doesn’t, the special election would be held on a Tuesday that is 126 days to 140 days later. In that race, any candidate who wins an outright majority takes the seat, similar to the process followed in last June’s primary. If no candidate wins a majority, then a run-off between the top two vote-getters would take place nine weeks later.
Anderson was grateful on election night.
“I want to thank the people of Richmond, the community, for really weighing in. Those who came out to the debates, League of Women Voters, Richmondside, those who sent me text messages, phone calls, emails from across the spectrum,” he said. “The great diversity of the city of Richmond and what really makes it the city of pride and purpose.”
Jimenez campaigned on a platform that emphasized continuing “holistic” approaches to public safety and a “just transition” away from relying on income from Chevron, which accounts for more than a quarter of the city’s tax base.
“Thank you, every single one of you who spent countless hours walking, talking and selling me like I was a goal. Investing and believing that this campaign was the right choice,” Jimenez said on election night. “If I win, I would be the first immigrant woman holding this title but more important than that is the values that we hold together.”
Jimenez said that night that regardless of the outcome of the election, she is hoping that the city can “come together” to have tough conversations about its future.
“I believe everybody wants something good for the city,” Jimenez said, adding that her first priority as mayor would be to focus on working with the community to decide how to spend the city’s $550 million Chevron settlement.
I thank everyone for participating in this hard fought campaign
Richmond will continue moving forward under Claudia’s leadership.
Anderson should do the honorable thing and concede now, pledge to work together and quit attacking and race-baiting the RPA.