Candidates in the lead in race for Richmond City Council

RICHMOND — Sitting councilmembers were vying to keep their seats in two of three Richmond City Council races. Initial results have one leading their opponent and the other trailing theirs.

Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, who has represented District 6 since first being elected in 2020, is leading in her reelection bid against conflict resolution consultant Shawn Dunning. With initial results on Tuesday night, Jimenez had received about 57% of the vote while 43% backed Dunning.

“With only about half of the ballots in as of yet, it’s hard to know for sure how this will end up. Either way, I’m committed to doing my part to serve Richmond,” Dunning said.

Meanwhile, District 1 Councilmember Melvin Willis was trailing social worker Dr. Jamelia Brown in his reelection bid, according to initial results Tuesday from the Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters.

While Willis had received about 40% of the vote, Brown had received 48%. Retired auto mechanic Mark Wassberg was in third place with 12% of the vote.

A third race to replace retiring Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin will bring a new face to the council. Nonprofit advisor Sue Wilson was leading in that race against nonprofit director Ahad Anderson with about 57% to about 43%, according to early results.