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Clayton City Council

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City of Clayton

Clayton City Council

This person would hold one of Clayton's five at-large City Council seats. Members vote on city laws, the budget, and land use. Two seats are up this year, each for a four-year term through 2030. Voters may vote for up to two candidates, and the top two vote-getters win. Clayton's Mayor is not directly elected. Instead, the City Council picks one of its own members as Mayor. That term lasts one year.

Incumbent Kim Trupiano faces three challengers for two at-large seats on Clayton's City Council. The challengers are Amy Callaghan, Charlie Schmidt, and Maria Shulman. Mayor Jeff Wan holds the other seat but did not file for reelection.

This person would hold one of Clayton's five at-large City Council seats on a council-manager government with an appointed City Manager. They vote on city ordinances, the budget, and land use for a city of about 11,000 residents at the base of Mount Diablo. Two seats are up this cycle, each a 4-year term expiring 2030 -- voters may vote for up to two candidates, and the top two vote-getters win, with no ranked-choice voting or June primary documented for Clayton. Clayton's Mayor is not directly elected: the City Council selects one of its own members to serve a one-year term as Mayor, so this seat is for City Council, not Mayor -- Jeff Wan holds the title now; Trupiano held it as of mid-2025.

Mayor Jeff Wan, the other incumbent whose term expires this cycle, did not file for reelection -- why the county flags this contest as having gone into a non-incumbent filing extension -- but all four candidates had already qualified by July 31, a week before the regular deadline, so the extension drew no additional filers; this is a genuine, contested race, not headed for direct appointment like this county's Martinez and Oakley seats this cycle. Separately, a June 2025 Civil Grand Jury report accused the council of "gross dysfunction" and near-financial-ruin; the council, including then-Mayor Trupiano, rejected nearly all of its findings, while resident group Clayton Watch petitioned to formally amend the report -- both sides' positions are reported here, not adjudicated.

Kim Trupiano

Kim Trupiano is the incumbent, seeking reelection. Their filed ballot designation is "Incumbent." They served as Clayton's Mayor as of mid-2025 under the council's yearly rotation system. Their campaign site says they helped get state certification for Clayton's Sixth Housing Element. That took a three-year approval process. They proposed a 1% sales tax measure. They also proposed renewing the Landscape Maintenance District to address rising costs. They backed Main Street resurfacing and started the Clayton 311 tool for reporting resident issues.

Amy Callaghan

Amy Callaghan is a first-time candidate. Their filed ballot designation is "Real Estate Manager." Their campaign site says they are a Senior Commercial Property Manager. They have more than 30 years of experience with large property and facility budgets. They have held a real estate license since 1998. They also hold a Real Property Administrator certification. They have lived in Clayton since 2002. They began attending City Council meetings to track a sidewalk project. They now support infrastructure maintenance, fiscal review, and government transparency.

Charles J. Schmidt

Charles J. Schmidt is a first-time candidate. Their filed ballot designation is "Chemist." Their campaign site says they are a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. They served 28 years in planning and operations. They were also a University of Florida chemistry professor for more than a decade. Their background includes food safety and environmental projects. They have lived in Clayton for 24 years. They now sit on the Clayton Planning Commission and the Trails and Landscape Committee. They have also volunteered more than 20 years for the CBCA Clayton Oktoberfest.

Maria Shulman

Maria Shulman is a first-time candidate. Their filed ballot designation is "Registered Nurse." Their campaign site describes them as a nurse and healthcare leader. They have management and care-coordination experience. They have lived in Clayton for more than 17 years. Their daughter attended Clayton schools. They chaired the Clayton Planning Commission in 2025. They served as Vice Chair in 2024. Fellow candidate Charlie Schmidt also sits on that commission. Shulman also serves on the Clayton Community Library Foundation board.

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A nonpartisan office: candidates do not run as Democrats or Republicans, and no party appears on the ballot.

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