LGBTQ city council candidates from Richmond to San Leandro in the East Bay await final vote tallies in their races. Several could become the first out members elected to their municipal government bodies.
Not having to sweat out election night was gay San Leandro City Councilmember Victor Aguilar Jr., who sailed to another term with 100% of the vote. He was unopposed for his District 3 seat but still appeared on the ballot.
Seeking the Alameda County city's District 1 council seat was Celina Reynes, a bisexual third generation resident of San Leandro. The educator was in first place with 46.50% of the vote, according to the unofficial returns.
With gay Dublin City Councilmember Shawn Kumagai departing, as he ran for state Assembly rather than seek reelection to his council seat, lesbian council candidate Lynna Do aimed to maintain out leadership in the city. One of three candidates, including incumbent Councilmember Jean Josey, running for two council seats, Do is in third place with 21.49% of the vote.
In Union City, bisexual resident Kristy Boer is in second place with 29.49% of the vote in the three-person contest for the open District 3 seat on the City Council. Should she win, Boer would be the first known LGBTQ person to serve on it.
In Alameda, gay former city councilmember Jim Oddie sought reelection two years after voters bounced him off the island city's governing body. One of five candidates along with incumbent City Councilmember Tony Daysog running for two council seats, Oddie was in fifth place with 14.44% of the vote.
Gay Richmond resident Cesar Zepeda this year again sought election to his City Council in Contra Costa County. He is trailing his two-person race for the open District 2 seat with 46.60% of the vote.
Looking to join him as the District 4 councilmember was Jamin Pursell, who is nonbinary and queer. One of two people seeking the open seat, Pursell is in second place with 31.81% of the vote.
Gay El Cerrito City Councilmember Gabe Quinto, currently serving as mayor, easily secured a third term with 35.90% of the vote for second place in the three-person race for two citywide council seats. Meanwhile, lesbian former San Francisco Pride committee president Carolyn Wysinger is in first place with 36.85% of the vote.
And queer candidate D'Marco J. Anthony lost his underdog campaign to oust longtime Concord City Treasurer Patti Barsotti. He landed in second place with 21% of the vote.
This article will be updated as more ballot returns come in.
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