Walnut Creek's November City Council race has its first candidates, with the filing deadline just days away.
Two challengers have pulled nomination papers to run for the at-large council seats alongside incumbent Cindy Silva, according to the Contra Costa County candidate list updated Monday, August 3. Brendan Moran and Cherise Khaund join Silva on the list for the Tuesday, November 3 general election.
Mayor Pro Tem Matt Francois, whose term is also up this fall, will not seek re-election, according to the same candidate list. That leaves one guaranteed open seat on the five-member council, which currently includes Mayor Kevin Wilk, Councilmember Cindy Darling, and Councilmember Craig DeVinney alongside Francois and Silva.
Filing closes Friday
Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday, August 7 to file all paperwork with the Walnut Creek City Clerk's office. The filing period opened July 13, as we reported at the time, giving prospective candidates roughly four weeks to pull and submit nomination papers.
Pulling papers does not guarantee a spot on the ballot. All required documents must be completed by the deadline.
Under California election law, if an eligible incumbent does not file by August 7, the filing period for that office extends to 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, according to the Contra Costa County Elections Division. The extension does not apply to term-limited incumbents.
Two seats, three candidates (so far)
The race is at-large, meaning all Walnut Creek voters will choose from the same candidate pool. Two council seats are on the November ballot, corresponding to the terms held by Francois and Silva.
The field could still grow. Anyone who obtains nomination papers from the City Clerk's office before Friday's deadline can enter the race.
No public statements from Moran, Khaund, or Silva about their campaign priorities were available as of Monday. The Walnut Creek Record has reached out to all three candidates for comment.
What else is on the ballot
The council voted unanimously on Tuesday, June 2 to place a measure on the November ballot asking voters whether the City Treasurer position should change from elected to appointed. A separate race for a new four-year City Treasurer term will also appear on the ballot.
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder Kristin B. Connelly said in a July 13 press release that her candidate services team is available to assist prospective filers. Candidates can reach the Elections Division at 925-335-7800 or [email protected].
The next regular City Council meeting is Tuesday, August 18 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1666 N. Main Street.
