Unofficial end-of-week results show Jiménez with 54.31% of the vote to Anderson's 45.69%. More than 25,500 ballots have been counted in the contest, with another update expected Tuesday.

"I will be your next Mayor of Richmond," Jiménez announced on social media late Friday. In an interview, she said she intends to work hard to earn the trust of residents who backed her opponent.

"I know that some people voted for Ahmad, and I am looking forward to work with everybody because I believe everybody really wants Richmond to be a better city," Jiménez said.

Jiménez, who has served two terms on the City Council, was endorsed by the Richmond Progressive Alliance, a local political organization that has held significant influence on the council for the past two decades. The group backed her over incumbent Mayor Eduardo Martinez.

This election marked the first time Richmond chose its mayor through a runoff, following a voter-approved ballot initiative. Jiménez and Anderson advanced from the June primary as the top two candidates, eliminating Martinez and setting up the head-to-head general election matchup.

Martinez congratulated both candidates, praising Jiménez's "excellent leadership and compassion" and Anderson's "ambitious and hard-fought campaign."

"I see her drive, financial acumen and willingness to listen as an incredible foundation for leading and advancing our community," Martinez said on social media. "My hope is that her colleagues on the City Council will recognize these strengths and work collaboratively with the new Mayor to propel Richmond toward the great future its residents both desire and deserve."

Melvin Willis, a former Richmond City Council member and progressive ally of Jiménez, said Saturday that it was "safe to say she has won."

"Everybody wants to see every vote counted, and that's the right thing to do," Willis said. "And just from my general take of looking at the numbers as they constantly come in, her gap keeps on growing in terms of how many more votes she is getting. I'm excited to see what she will do because I do know Claudia personally. And when she dives into an issue, she dives into it, will dedicate herself to it, and check in with the community and try to understand it as much as possible, and try to make the right decision."

Anderson did not respond to a request for comment.

The mayor-elect's victory comes as Richmond continues to grapple with affordability, environmental concerns tied to its industrial waterfront, and the legacy of corporate influence in local politics. Jiménez's progressive backing suggests her administration may prioritize tenant protections, climate resilience, and community-led development — issues that have defined the city's political fault lines in recent years.

With the council's progressive bloc now gaining a key ally in the mayor's office, Jiménez will face immediate pressure to deliver on housing and environmental justice promises while bridging divides in a city where nearly half of voters chose her opponent.

Ballot counting continues, with the county scheduled to release updated figures Tuesday.