Election season is now officially warming up, and if you’ve been sitting around saying, “Someone should do something,” congratulations—this is your chance to stop complaining and put your name on the ballot.
If you’re thinking about running for city council this November 3, now is the time to get serious. Campaigns don’t magically appear overnight. You need a platform. You need to raise money. You need endorsements. Then comes everyone’s favorite part: shaking hands, kissing babies, smiling for pictures, and pretending you enjoy every community gathering and smiling at people you despise.
The nomination period for the 2026 General Election opens Monday, July 13, 2026, and closes Friday, August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Now here’s where it gets interesting. Under Elections Code §10407, if an eligible incumbent decides not to file for reelection by August 7, the nomination period for that seat gets extended until Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. That’s basically the political version of overtime. If the incumbent doesn’t show up, someone else gets another shot to jump into the race.
One piece of advice: don’t rely on Facebook comments for election deadlines. Verify everything with your city clerk if you’re running for city office, or with the Contra Costa County Elections Office if you’re running for a special district or school board.
Below is a running list of known incumbents and candidates who have publicly announced they are running. We’ll continue updating the list as more candidates file and as incumbents decide whether they’re seeking another term.
*incumbents are listed, and will update, when known if they will or will not seek re-election)
*If you are a candidate and want to be interviewed, please reach out to burk@contracosta.news
City of Antioch
District 1
- Tamisha Torres-Walker – incumbent (will seek re-election)
- Diane Gibson-Gray – announced
- Joy Motts – announced
District 4
- Monica Wilson – Incumbent (will seek re-eelection)
- Andrew Becker – announced
- Sandra White – announced
City of Brentwood
District 2
- P’Tanisha Pierson – Incumbent
- Kris Brand
- Mark Duke
District 4
- Tony Oerlemans – Incumbent
- Stephanie Williams-Rogers
City of Clayton
- Kim Trupiano – Incumbent
- Jeff Wan – incumbent
City of Concord
District 1
- Laura Hoffmeister – incumbent
- Maria Bagley
District 3
- Dominic Aliano – incumbent
District 5
- Laura Nakamura – incumbent (will seek re-election)
- Aeysha Corio
Town of Danville
- Robert Storer – Incumbent
- Karen Stepper – Incumbent (will not seek re-election)
Town of Discovery Bay
- Bryon Gutow – Incumbent
- Kevin Graves – Incumbent
- Ashley Porter – Incumbent
El Cerrito
- Gabe Quinto – Incumbent
- Carolyn Wysinger – Incumbent
- Wally Nowinski
- Kimberly White
City of Hercules
- Dion Bailey – Incumbent
- Chris Kelley – Incumbent
City of Lafayette
- Susan Candell – Incumbent
- Jim Cervanes – Incumbent
- Stella Wotherspoon – Incumbent
City of Martinez
Mayor
- Brianne Zorn – Incumbent (will seek re-election)
District 1
- Jay Howard – Incumbent
District 4
- Debbie McKillop – Incumbent
Town of Moraga
- Kerry Hillis – Incumbent
- Steve Woehleke – Incumbent
City of Oakley
District 2
- Hugh Henderson – Incumbent (will seek re-election)
District 4
- Shannon Shaw – Incumbent (will seek re-election
City of Pinole
- Anthony Tave – incumbent
- Norma Martinez-Rubin
- Camron Sasai – incumbent
City of Pittsburg
- Dionne Adams – Incumbent
- Angelia Lopez – Incumbent
- Arlene Kobata – appointed incumbent (will seek election)
City of Pleasant Hill
- Zac Schess – incumbent (will seek re-election)
- Sue Noack – incumbent (will seek re-election)
City of Richmond
Mayor
- Ahmad Anderson
- Claudia Jimenez
Council seats (won re-election in primary
- District 2 – Cesar Zepeda
- District 3 – Doria Robinson
- District 4 – Soheila Bana
City of San Ramon
Mayor
- Mark Armstrong – Incumbent
Councilmember
- Richard Alder – Incumbent
- Marisol Rubio – Incumbent
City of San Pablo
- Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado – Incumbent
- Rita Xavier – Incumbent
City of Walnut Creek (at-large)
- Matt Francois – incumbent (will not seek re-election)
- Cindy Silva – Incumbent
- Brendan Moran
Note – links to candidate websites will be updated when provided
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