Uncertainty reigns in Concord, Clayton in close races
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Nov. 6, 2024) — The city councils of Concord and Clayton are still up in the air – with the potential ousting of the cities’ two mayors hanging in the balance.
As of early Wednesday morning, Concord Mayor Edi Birsan was holding on for his political life by five votes over challenger Pablo Benavente in the District 4 race. That was no consolation for Birsan, who said he “did the math” in his head and expected Benavente to pull away once all the votes had been tallied. Although all the precincts had been weighed in, there were still votes delivered on Election Day that had yet to be counted.
Birsan led with 2,547, or 34.96% of the vote, while Benavente had 2,543 or 34.91% of the votes.
Also in Concord, Carlyn Obringer easily handled challenger Eric Antonik, 75.1 to 24.7 in District 2.
Meanwhile, in Clayton, Mayor Jim Diaz came in a disappointing fourth in a race for three seats. Sources say there will probably be a recount since he trailed political newcomer Maria Shulman by just 11 votes. The same hand-delivered voting that may affect the Concord race are at play here, too.
‘Ugly race’
A seemingly devastated Birsan said he would not demand a recount, saying he was “very hurt and disgusted” by what he claimed was an ugly race and election. He was not endorsed by the local Democratic Party, despite his 12 years on the Concord council.
“I’m just mad,” he said.
The other challengers were Myles Burks, with 18.9 percent of the vote, and Matthew Dasnher, with 11.1 percent of the vote.
In Clayton, Diaz has not responded to the Pioneer’s efforts to reach him to confirm a request for a recount.
A jubilant Richard Enea led the pack of four with 2,952 votes, or 27.3%. He was followed by incumbent Holly Tillman with 2,655 votes, or 24.6%. Shulman rounded out the top three with 2,589, or 24% of the votes. Diaz had 2,577 votes or 23.9 percent.
“I am just very thankful for the faith the people of Clayton have in me,” Enea said, “and I intend to make the level-headed decisions they deserve.”
He says that finance, public safety and landscaping will be his top three priorities.
He is no stranger to the dais, having served two terms as a councilmember in Crescent City, California, where he lived sandwiched between his stints in Clayton.
Legislative and Congressional Races
It didn’t surprise many when Congressman Mark DeSaulnier won the District 10 seat easily against Republican challenger Katherine Piccinini , 66% to 33.9%.
In the District 9 California State Senate race, former Concord Mayor and Assemblyman Tim Grayson moved up the ladder, in a closer than expected race, defeating fellow Democrat Marisol Rubio 55.8% to 44.2%.
Taking Grayson’s State Assembly seat will be Democrat Annemarie Avila Farias, who defeated Republican challenger Sonia Ledo 63.4 to 36.6 in a highly blue district.
Peggy Spear
Peggy Spear is a journalist and frequent contributor to the Pioneer.