Richmond City Council
The city's elected governing board. It sets the city budget and tax rate, decides zoning inside city limits, and oversees city services such as police, water and parks. 9 members.
How the board decides
Of 123 recorded votes since September 2026, members were unanimous on 65%. They split on 43.
From the official records of 6 meetings. Most business, like consent agendas and routine contracts, passes without dissent. The split votes are where members differ, so the rest of this page focuses on them.
Source: official meeting records from 6 meetings. Most recent: Oct 13, 2026, Oct 13, 2026, Oct 13, 2026.
Who ends up outvoted
On split votes, how often each member was on the side that lost. Members are listed in seat order, not ranked.
Andrew S. BretonOutvoted on 39 of 43 (91%)
Katherine JordanOutvoted on 39 of 43 (91%)
Kenya J. GibsonOutvoted on 3 of 43 (7%)
Sarah AbubakerOutvoted on 2 of 43 (5%)
Stephanie A. LynchOutvoted on 40 of 43 (93%)
Ellen F. RobertsonOutvoted on 1 of 43 (2%)
Cynthia I. NewbilleOutvoted on 39 of 43 (91%)
Reva M. TrammellOutvoted on 0 of 43 (0%)
Nicole JonesOutvoted on 0 of 43 (0%)
Who votes together
Agreement is measured only on split votes, since every pair agrees when the vote is unanimous.
Most often alikeAndrew S. Breton and Katherine Jordan voted the same way on 100% of the split votes they both cast (43 of 43).
Most often apartKenya J. Gibson and Cynthia I. Newbille voted the same way on 2% of the split votes they both cast (1 of 43).
See every pairing
| Member | Breton | Jordan | Gibson | Abubaker | Lynch | Robertson | Newbille | Trammell | Jones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breton | 100% | 2% | 5% | 98% | 7% | 100% | 9% | 9% | |
| Jordan | 100% | 2% | 5% | 98% | 7% | 100% | 9% | 9% | |
| Gibson | 2% | 2% | 98% | 5% | 91% | 2% | 93% | 93% | |
| Abubaker | 5% | 5% | 98% | 7% | 93% | 5% | 95% | 95% | |
| Lynch | 98% | 98% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 98% | 7% | 7% | |
| Robertson | 7% | 7% | 91% | 93% | 5% | 7% | 98% | 98% | |
| Newbille | 100% | 100% | 2% | 5% | 98% | 7% | 9% | 9% | |
| Trammell | 9% | 9% | 93% | 95% | 7% | 98% | 9% | 100% | |
| Jones | 9% | 9% | 93% | 95% | 7% | 98% | 9% | 100% |
Darker cells: the pair agreed more often.
Where they split
The most recent votes where members disagreed, with who voted each way.
- Yea
- Nay
- Absent or not voting
- Abstain or present
Oct 13, 2026, Labor & Employment
To amend City Code § 12-16, concerning publication of the City’s payment register, for the purpose of promoting transparency and accountability in the...
Pass, 7 to 2. Official record
YesNoOct 13, 2026, Children & Families
To authorize the special use of the properties known as 901 South Meadow Street, 903 South Meadow Street, 905 South Meadow Street, 907 South Meadow Street,...
Fail, 1 to 8. Official record
YesNoOct 13, 2026, Other / Uncategorized
To authorize the Council’s Organizational Development Standing Committee to investigate the City’s failure to publish a monthly payment register as required...
Fail, 3 to 6. Official record
YesNoSep 28, 2026, Insurance & Financial Regulation
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Site Lease Agreement and a Solar Power Purchase...
Fail, 4 to 5. 39 motions on this item, same vote each time. Official record
YesNoSep 28, 2026, Technology & Privacy
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation of certain services, including but not...
Pass, 8 to 1. Official record
YesNo
What comes before the board
Every recorded vote, grouped by policy area from the wording of the agenda item.
- Insurance & Financial Regulation24
- Infrastructure Spending - Roadways22
- Fiscal Policy - Budget Allocation14
- Children & Families14
- Public Safety & Emergency Services5
- Government Operations - Contracts & Procurement4
- Government Operations - Ordinances & Procedure3
- Infrastructure - Water & Stormwater3
16 more votes did not fit a single policy area.
Records used on this page
- Roster: rva.gov/richmond-city-council/council-contacts
- Official site: rva.gov/
- Each split vote above links to the official minutes or roll call it came from.