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As the results of last month’s election are now certified in Contra Costa County, the winner of the tightest race in the San Ramon Valley – for the District 1 seat on the San Ramon City Council set to be vacated by Scott Perkins – has been confirmed as attorney Robert Jweinat.
Jweinat has had a slight but consistent lead over opponent and fellow political newcomer Vasanth Shetty since Election Night, with the final count released Tuesday afternoon showing Jweinat at 50.82% of the vote and Shetty at 49.18%.
“I am honored to be elected to the San Ramon City Council,” Jweinat told DanvilleSanRamon Tuesday evening. “Our city is a thriving community built on a foundation of safety and economic growth. I look forward to collaborating with residents and fellow Council members to ensure San Ramon continues to prosper. Thank you for your trust and support — now it’s time to deliver results.”
It has been clear since early in election season that the District 1 seat was set to change hands, with longtime councilmember Scott Perkins announcing earlier this year that he would not be seeking reelection after his current and fifth term in office.
Jweinat and Shetty were the two newcomers who emerged to succeed Perkins, with both having launched their first-ever bids for public office this year.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Robert Jweinat on his victory in the San Ramon City Council District 1 election,” Shetty told DanvilleSanRamon Tuesday afternoon. “I wish him the very best and I am confident he will work hard to represent the interests of our community.”
Shetty lauded the “engagement and dedication to shaping the future of our city” that his supporters and voters in District 1 had exhibited during his campaign and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“Although this was not the outcome we hoped for, I remain committed to serving San Ramon and contributing to the community we all cherish,” Shetty said. “Thank you all for standing with me on this journey.”
The two new candidates made the District 1 race the only competitive one for the City Council this year, with District 3 incumbent Sridhar Verose running unopposed for a second term in the seat.
District 2 councilmember Mark Armstrong is about to head the council after winning election to the mayor’s seat – which will be vacated by the city’s longest-ever councilmember, Dave Hudson. Armstrong’s ascension to mayor means there is set to be a vacancy in his district once he is sworn-in as mayor.
With District 4 councilmember Marisol Rubio competing for State Senate District 9 this year, the council could have seen two vacancies in the aftermath of last month’s election. However, her opponent in that race, Tim Grayson, has secured that win with 53.24% compared with Rubio’s 46.76% as of the final count, allowing her to remain on the dais in San Ramon.
