Martinez incumbent District 1 Councilman Jay Howard will face challenger Nakenya Allen in the November election. Photos: City of Martinez and Allen for Council campaign website.
Mayor, one councilmember face no opposition
By City of Martinez
The nomination period for the November 2026 City election has officially closed. The following candidates have qualified:
Mayor: Brianne Zorn (incumbent)
District 1: Jay Howard (incumbent) and Nakenya Allen
District 4: Debbie McKillop (incumbent)
With the Mayor and District 4 seats uncontested, the City Council will discuss election options for these two offices at the next City Council meeting. The Council may either appoint the nominated candidates in lieu of holding an election, or have the election proceed as scheduled, in accordance with California Elections Code Section 10229. Savings associated with appointment rather than an election for these two seats are between $55,000 – $80,000 of City funds. The District 1 race will continue as planned on November 3, 2026, regardless of how the Mayor and District 4 seats are handled.
Community members are encouraged to attend and share feedback at the meeting on Wednesday, August 19th at 7:00 pm.
Martinz Mayor Brianne Zorn and District 4 Councilwoman Debbie McKillip face no opposition for re-election. Photos: City of Martinez
About the Incumbents and Challenger
According to her bio on the City’s website, Zorn is currently serving in her first term as mayor and “was elected to the Martinez City Council as Councilmember for District 3 in November 2020, and as Mayor in November 2022.”
According to her bio, McKillop is currently serving in her third term and “was elected to the Martinez City Council in 2014 and served as Vice Mayor in 2017, 2021, and 2024.”
According to his official bio, Howard is running for re-elect and “was elected Councilmember in November 2022. He is the third generation of his family to be born and raised in the Alhambra Valley. Since 2014, Jay has been the Superintendent for G Swanson Construction. He is very active in the community where he serves as a board member for the Nor Cal Carpenters Regional Council, Union Local 152, Loaves and Fishes, the Historical Society, and serves as a delegate to the Carpenter’s Regional Council (spanning 46 counties). Jay lives in Martinez with his lovely wife and two children. When he has some downtime, he is an avid hiker and enjoys extreme skiing.”
According to her campaign website, Allen says about herself, “I am a longtime Martinez resident, community organizer, proud mother, and dedicated advocate for a safer, more inclusive city. I hold a degree in Veterinary Technology and loved the time I spent working in animal hospitals and shelters, rescuing and rehoming pets. When I became a mother to a son who is medically sensitive with severe special needs, my priorities shifted profoundly. I now focus on his health and well-being, while working to build a community where every resident is valued, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. In my rare moments of free time, I enjoy practicing Muay Thai and making my own holistic hair products.”
Allen is Vice President and District 5 Ambassador for the Contra Costa County Commission for Women and Girls, a member of the County’s Family and Children’s Trust (FACT) Committee, and a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) of Contra Costa County.
The election is Nov. 3rd.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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