Pablo Benavente increases lead over Edi Birsan in Concord City Council race

oncord City Council candidate Pablo Benavente has slightly increased his lead over Mayor Edi Birsan in the District 4 race.

In the latest vote tallies released Wednesday by Contra Costa County election officials, Benavente is ahead by 102 votes (35.37%, 3,723 votes) over Birsan (34.4%, 3,621 votes). Birsan was ahead after Election Night by four votes.

Benavente, who is currently a government relations professional in the tech industry, has worked with the Economic Opportunity Council of Contra Costa and served as chair of the board of Monument Impact, a community-based nonprofit focused on immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities in Concord.

Birsan was first elected in 2012 and is currently serving as mayor, a position appointed by his fellow councilmembers that rotates annually.

Myles Burks was still in third with 19.56% (2,059) votes) and Matthew Dashner was in fourth with 10.66% (1,122 votes).

In Concord's District 2 council race, incumbent Carlyn Obringer still held a commanding lead over Eric Antonick, 75.67% (7,652 votes) to 24.33% (2,460 votes).