Richmond council elects Doria Robinson as vice mayor in substitute‑motion vote

The Richmond City Council on [meeting date] elected Councilmember Doria Robinson as vice mayor for 2026 after the body approved a substitute nomination during roll call. The council said the vice mayor will serve a one‑year term and stand in for the mayor in his absence and at the mayor’s request.

Mayor Eduardo Martinez opened nominations and put forward Councilmember Seheyla Bana; Councilmember Gloria (Doria) Robinson was nominated by substitute motion. Following a roll‑call vote, the council announced the substitute motion carried and declared Doria Robinson the new vice mayor. The clerk read the duties of the position, including representing the mayor upon request.

The vote tally was announced during roll call; council members Jimenez, Wilson, Robinson and Cepeda voted in favor while Councilmembers Brown and Bonner and Mayor Martinez voted no. The mayor congratulated Vice Mayor Robinson at the dais.

The council moved directly on to its next business after the election. No separate ordinance or ordinance number governs the internal election; the vice mayor serves under the council’s annually determined rules and the one‑year term the council described at the meeting.

The immediate practical effect is internal: Robinson will assume temporary mayoral duties in the mayor’s absence and represent the mayor when requested. The council did not attach new responsibilities or policy directives to the vice mayor role during the meeting.