Richmond: These are the City Council candidates vying for a seat in the November election

The main issues at stake revolve around public safety, homelessness, development and economic stability

RICHMOND — The upcoming Nov. 8 election will finally assign a representative for each of Richmond’s six districts, providing a voice to address homelessness, public safety and economic prosperity in each corner of the city.

Richmond has been phasing in district elections. At present, three council members represent Districts 1, 5 and 6, while the other three, who are all terming out, were elected citywide.

Council members known as the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) have held onto a political majority for the past eight years, prioritizing policies that have pushed, in part, green development, affordable housing, non-police resources and corporate taxation. But this bloc has created a strong division among residents, many of who feel city officials have failed to adequately address the needs of businesses and community members struggling to live, stay safe and thrive in Richmond.

As the homeless population grows, police ranks dwindle and businesses are threatening to leave town, each of the 11 candidates running for office explained how they plan to either work to bring more collaboration to the table despite political differences, or embody a “bulldog” approach and shift who makes decisions on the City Council.

Here are the 11 candidates:

MAYOR

City Councilmember Nathaniel Bates holds the title of “oldest elected public official in a city of more than 100,000 people,” but that hasn’t stopped him from running for another four years as Richmond’s mayor. The 91-year-old says his experience is what sets him apart from his opponents.

He wants to reinvigorate funding for the Richmond Police Department to address problematic sideshows, excessive speeding and catalytic converter theft. Bates also wants to reassess the city’s current taxation. He said Measure U, which was approved by voters in 2020, put too much financial burden on local businesses, such as car dealerships and department stores, to fund city services. If sharp tax increases aren’t mitigated, he fears owners will relocate, hurting Richmond and residents’ access to jobs.

Shawn Dunning is the “outsider” who wants to bring peace back to the city’s marathon-long council meetings. Working as a conflict resolution consultant for more than 20 years, he said he felt compelled to offer his skills to help collaborate with expert input, listen to all stakeholders and cool tensions on the council, which have stalled vital development and policing decisions.

Dunning proudly says his platform of priorities was shaped directly by residents’ feedback; he campaigned, in part, by running on every city street — twice — and talking to thousands of voters to gauge their concerns. Dunning supports bringing more funding back into the police department as well as pursuing non-law enforcement responders.

City Councilmember Eduardo Martinez hopes to continue voting on policies he says help working families afford to stay living in Richmond, decrease environmental emissions and pollution, and ensure public safety without inflating police rosters to account for more than half of city budget expenses.

After serving eight years on the council as a member of the RPA, Martinez says he hears businesses’ concerns about sharp increases to tax rates, but he says those taxes are vital to help fund city projects. He says he thinks threats of leaving the city are bluffs by businesses trying to retain as much profit as possible.

Mark Wassberg, who lives in his truck in El Sobrante but collects his mail in Richmond, sees America as the land of opportunity where even “poor, unknown” people can run for public office. The retired auto mechanic and former Chevron employee said he would work to reverse several of the RPA’s decisions if elected, primarily by signing executive orders to increase the number of police officers to be tougher on crime and break up homeless encampments that have been “welcomed” across Richmond.

DISTRICT 2

Andrew Butt was born and raised in Richmond, where he works as an architect and has served as a planning commissioner, president of the Point Richmond Business Association and a former city Design Review Board member. Butt, the son of outgoing Mayor Tom Butt, says he wants to disrupt the RPA’s majority on the council and tackle the city’s blighted streets, homeless encampments, public safety concerns and economic development.

But while he touts knowledge of past projects and present issues across Richmond, his temperament and social media posts have drawn attention, where he has shared identifiable pictures of homeless people defecating on city sidewalks and openly taunted and argued with constituents. Yet, he said that he would be able to cordially work with his colleagues, saying that those posts are simply part of Richmond’s “bare-knuckle” politics.

Cesar Zepeda, a West County Wastewater District director, is campaigning to restart District 2 into an economic engine, a hub of affordable housing and a healthier physical environment. In addition to being president and founder of the Hilltop District’s Homeowners & Stakeholders Association and neighborhood council, Zepeda said he understands the community’s struggles and is able to connect with a wide range of people, thanks to his time working with the GRIP homeless resource center, Rainbow Pride committee and the Contra Costa Community College Foundation.

Despite not being an RPA member, Zepeda agrees with the coalition’s stated goals of increasing affordable housing, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and developing Point Molate into an open space — hoping to take advantage of state funding, cut the city’s losses fighting expensive years-long lawsuits and preserve the shoreline.

DISTRICT 3

Oscar Garcia is an environmental engineer, community police review commissioner and member of the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council.

Hoping to represent and “give back” to the community where he was born and raised, he said he hopes to successfully build back trust with police and craft solutions to reducing the city’s homeless population. Garcia also wants to spark more economic and educational opportunities for Richmond’s youth, which he thinks may ease public safety concerns and boost stability, especially in a district predominantly made up of people of color.

Doria Robinson is a third-generation resident of Richmond’s southside. She says her experience directing a multi-million dollar community organization that serves hundreds of residents has equipped her with the skills to bring a sense of collaboration to the City Council, especially when tackling issues such as affordable housing and public safety.

Robinson, who says she is not an RPA member but embraces progressive policies, would prioritize data-based decisions if elected. Regarding hot button issues like public safety, she said she would look to research to decide whether crime rates are correlated to an increased police presence, rather than other non-law enforcement solutions.

Corky Boozé, a former teacher, businessman and City Council member, said several businesses and residents on the southside asked him to return to City Hall. While people either “love or hate” his style of politics – a history defined by provocative diatribes, physical scuffles and a tenacious loyalty to the Black community – he said he is the person to get the job done on the often-divided council.

If elected, Boozé hopes to revitalize District 3’s open spaces, schools and police force, as well as push through large development projects that can reap revenues for all of Richmond.

DISTRICT 4

Soheila Bana has lived in Richmond for 25 years. Citing a record of leadership and a history of public service working as an engineer, said she would try to connect the District 4 community — physically and figuratively. She said she has the skills necessary to bring government leaders and residents together to craft creative solutions that benefit the most people, whether helping police increase small business owners’ safety measures or tapping regional fire departments to keep evacuation routes clear.

Worried District 4 has been neglected, Bana said she wants to not only provide a voice for her neighbors, but also connect Richmond’s diverse community by pushing past the city’s history of slate politics.

Jamin Pursell first experienced Richmond politics eight years ago, after joining the RPA to combat anti-LGBTQ sentiments across the city, but the small business owner’s involvement eventually flowed over into neighborhood councils, city planning and zoning boards, and local Pride efforts. Pursell wants to bring fresh blood into Richmond City Hall, especially at a time when District 4 will get a dedicated voice to address its issues, from road maintenance to wildfire prevention.

Pursell believes his experience meeting people where they are behind the scenes, rather than leading community organizations, will connect with Richmond voters. But instead of trying to restore Richmond to its successes as in the “old days,” he wants to meet the needs of now, such as affordable housing for all ages and attracting new businesses.