Walnut Creek City Council Elects New Mayor; Gavel is Passed to City Councilmember Kevin Wilk
Outgoing Mayor Cindy Darling passes the gavel to newly elected Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk.
At the celebratory December 2, 2025, Walnut Creek City Council meeting, Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Darling passed the gavel to Councilmember Kevin Wilk after City Council unanimously approved Wilk’s appointment as mayor.
“In this last year, Kevin Wilk has been my mayor pro tem and he has done everything I’ve ask of him plus more,” said Mayor Darling. Turning to Wilk, she continued, “You have the city vibe in your heart and you are ready to go to work at it and I am looking forward to your leadership as Mayor.”
Mayor Wilk will serve the City of Walnut Creek through early December 2026. Councilmember Matt Francois serves as mayor pro tem.
Prior to Mayor Wilk’s selection, outgoing Mayor Darling reflected on the past year of City operations in 2025. The mayor said, “Our city made great progress on our priorities this year including public safety, sustainability, economic development and creating a welcoming city. I am especially proud of the progress we’ve made revitalizing our parks with new lights and turf fields. I’m proud to turn the gavel over to Kevin Wilk. We will be in good hands.”
“I am confident that Walnut Creek will continue to be the economic driver of the county and the premier place to live, work, play, shop, and dine anywhere,” said newly elected Mayor Kevin Wilk.
Mayor Wilk was first elected to the City Council in November 2016, and previously served as mayor in 2021. A longtime Walnut Creek resident with deep experience in transportation policy, regional boards, and community engagement, Mayor Wilk brings decades of public service, business leadership, and civic involvement to his role.
“Under Mayor Darling’s leadership, Walnut Creek took great strides in upgrading our infrastructure and increasing affordable housing,” Mayor Wilk said. “I look forward to continuing that progress, while ensuring that our downtown remains the most vibrant community for residents and visitors, and ensuring Walnut Creek is a safe and welcoming city for everyone.”
Mayor Wilk ended his comments with these words, “Lastly, I am honored to represent the city I grew up in and raise my family in. As a councilmember for the past nine years and now again as mayor. I know that my fellow councilmembers all feel the same way in their representation of Walnut Creek. While everyone may not agree with everything the city council does at all times . . . I hope people understand that we do the best we can with the information and tools we have under the California law we are guided by. As a welcoming community, we have open dialogue, civil discourse, and if we can avoid the pitfall of mudslinging through social media, I am confident that Walnut Creek will continue to be the economic driver of the county and the premier place to live, work, play, shop, and dine anywhere.”
Watch the December 2, 2025, City Council meeting here, which included former Mayor Darling’s outgoing comments, and Mayor Wilk’s look ahead.
