When Richmond City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto steps down from his 5th District seat on Nov. 30, one of seven people will step up to take his place in City Hall, the result of a special election that could impact some of the city’s most pressing issues.

Nicholas Da Silva, Stephanie Lynch, Jer’Mykeal D. McCoy, the Rev. Robin D. Mines, Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson, Mamie L. Taylor and Dr. Thaddeus “Thad” Williamson are vying to complete the rest of Mr. Agelasto’s term on City Council through December 2020.

An eighth person, Graham Sturm, started out in the race, but dropped out on Oct. 11, saying that he had met his campaign goal of pushing “the conversation towards education.”

Mr. Agelasto is stepping down after reaching an agreement with former Richmond Common- wealth’s Attorney Michael Herring after it was disclosed that Mr. Agelasto no longer lives in the 5th District.

The race has been one of the most important for Richmonders, particular residents of the 5th District, with multiple candidate forums held throughout the city, hosted and supported by a suite of political organizations and community groups.

The race also has attracted donors.

The Virginia Public Access Project shows Dr. Williamson leading the candidates in fundraising with $22,553 as of Sept. 30, followed by Ms. Lynch at $22,421.

The race hasn’t been lacking for big ideas and big promises from candidates, where their answers to even simple yes or no questions during forums could possibly forecast a shift in city policy and the city’s future. Many of the forums focused on the candidates’ support or opposition to the $1.5 billion Richmond Coliseum and Downtown redevelopment project proposed by the Navy Hill Development Corp. and backed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

Other topics of discussion have centered on education and schools, transportation, gen- trification and greater public input on various issues.

Mr. Da Silva, a recent Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, activist and Democratic Socialist, has positioned himself as a voice and advocate for the city’s working class, and as someone independent from the institutions, businesses and companies that have shaped the city for years.

He cites the violent and deadly white suprema- cist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville in 2017 in which Heather Heyer was killed by a white nationalist who drove into the crowd of counterprotesters as a critical moment in his choice to pursue politics. Mr. Da Silva was in the crowd and just feet from the car.

His platform promises to bring “a radical new approach to taxation and redistribution in our city” to ensure schools, teachers and students have full funding support. He also has called for greater accountability for the actions and policies of police through a civilian review board, influenced in part by the fatal police shooting of Marcus-David Peters in Richmond in May 2018. He also is calling for universal public transportation to improve traffic and food access, and greater compensation for working class residents through tax relief.

Ms. Lynch, who has worked for several years as a social worker and is now director of strategy, development and government affairs with a social services agency, seeks to fulfill the “progress left to be made” for Richmond Public Schools, public transportation, infrastructure, and other areas of city government.

Along with supporting measures that address gun violence and promote green development, she has promised greater transparency in city government to increase public trust. Ms. Lynch also advocates securing more state funding for city schools and pledged to work with local agencies and people within the community if elected.

Mr. McCoy believes that “as our city grows, everyone should have the opportunity to grow with it.” He has worked with several community organizations, including serving as president of the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals.

To reach the goal of expanding opportunity for all, his platform pledges to ensure safe and affordable housing for Richmond residents through collaboration with local builders and advocates, partnerships with businesses, colleges and trade schools that will grow, expand and support the city’s workforce, and full investment in Richmond Public Schools, from their buildings to their teachers and their students.

Rev. Mines has experienced some of the worst of racial unrest in the city. When she was growing up in the 5th District, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on the lawn of her family’s home. The disabled Air Force veteran now serves as associate minister at Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Jackson Ward.

During her campaign, she has focused on community, communication and collaboration among citizens, religious denominations and racial groups. She has advocated for mixed- income housing, improving school safety, raising teacher salaries above the national average and creating more connections with the city’s Latino community, among other initiatives. Rev. Mines also has called for greater public involvement in city schools, regardless of whether or not people have children, including creating community schools that would have education and programs for all ages.

Mr. Richardson served as the 5th District City Council representative from 1977 to 1995. He has been open about his intention to not run for a full term on council beyond serving out the remainder of Mr. Agelasto’s term. He said he ran because none of the other candidates believed it was wrong for Mr. Agelasto to remain on City Council while not living in the district. He filed suit to have Mr. Agelasto removed from office and has focused his campaign on “accountable representation.”

He has called for citizen-centered policies, from residency requirements for police officers to public transportation catering to any and all passengers. On the campaign trail, he frequently has cited his record as a councilmember as evidence of his honesty as a politician, his ability to hold city officials accountable and his commitment to Richmond at large and to the 5th District specifically.

Ms. Taylor, a former RPS teacher and Richmond School Board member, has also cited her accomplishments in her various roles while promising to bring more equity to issues in the city. She has promised more transparency for city government, having city agencies operate more for the public good, as well as greater ac- cess to and knowledge of the city’s processes, all part of ensuring a better Richmond government for citizens.

She also advocates for more watchful spending in the city so that early indications of a surplus can allow money to be redirected to schools. She said the same push for investment in the Navy Hill project should be made toward investment in city schools.

Dr. Williamson is familiar with the inner workings of City Hall, having served as a se- nior policy adviser to Mayor Levar M. Stoney. In that role, Dr. Williamson helped develop the Richmond Education Compact, creating an agenda for schools that public and private officials can rally around.

He has made addressing economic disparity one of his platform priorities, noting that more must be done to connect the unemployed with jobs. He has called for more intentional pipelines to be created by area hospitals and universities to train and employ RPS students and city residents. He also has called for a thorough review within RPS to determine what needs to be funded and what needs to be eliminated.

Candidate profiles:

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: For too long the status quo in Richmond has supported big business and monied interests, preventing the community’s voice from being heard. We’ve knocked on every door in the district during the course of our cam- paign and we’ve heard from thousands of people who feel alienated from the local government and feel they can’t have an impact. We’re here to change that. I am the only candidate who will work full time in office, knock on every door in the district until everyone’s voice is heard and push to create lasting accountability by ensur- ing the community has power to shape policy.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The greatest challenge is the economic disparity a quarter of our residents face daily. Twenty-five percent of our population lives in poverty while we have underfunded city services. This year, thousands of residents will be evicted from their homes and thousands more kicked out of public housing. We need to prioritize unheard voices by meeting people where they are and funding services through progressive and corporate taxation. Our schools need more attention and until they receive increased funding from the city and state governments, we won’t be able to give our students the resources they need to thrive.

How I plan to address those issues: The lack of funding for necessities of life is the most relevant issue for residents. When people spend hours trying to get to work, can’t easily access healthy food and worry about whether they will be evicted, they can’t possibly live a happy and fulfilled life. We need to prioritize funding for public transportation, schools and housing through changes in progressive taxation in our real estate taxes and by taxing corpora- tions and developers who take advantage of our city for profit. Furthermore, we need to increase public input for nearly every aspect of decision making.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I’m committed to achieving structural change in Richmond while making sure we deliver on the basic functions of city government and remain responsive and transparent to the residents of the 5th. I can promise you that I am committed to listening to you and translating your needs and concerns into action. I think that my unique background as a social worker in direct practice, as well as in developing and implementing policy and budgeting at the state level, have enabled me to have the perspective and experience to be an effective advocate for everyone in the 5th District.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

Two top issues that I have heard from residents on are ensuring that we have quality K-12 schools for every student in the district, and keeping the cost of living affordable. As a social worker, I’ve seen the impact that a good school and a stable home can have on a person, a family and a community. I’m going to work hard on council to make sure that our schools are fully funded and supported in a way that ensures equity and inclusion, and that every person in the 5th has access to quality, afford- able and stable housing.

How I plan to address those issues:

I will be a vocal proponent for fully funding costs to provide community, holistic supports in our schools, such as implementing school-based health centers. I will prioritize facilities funding and the rebuilding of George Wythe High School, and I will work toward economic empowerment of families and programs to address issues outside the classroom to improve outcomes for our kids. On housing, I will advocate to increase our affordable housing stock, oppose property tax increases on our vulnerable residents and expand access to initiatives to prevent evictions and keep residents in their homes.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I represent a fresh perspective and the energy to move Richmond forward. Our city is growing for the first time in 50 years and Richmonders need a candidate that is invested in the city’s future. Nothing is more important than empowering my fellow Richmonders. I will fight for working people over the powers that be, small businesses over corporations and public schools students over politics as usual. As an academic, businessperson and policy adviser, I have the experience and firsthand knowledge to advocate for the 5th District.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? They are the same issues facing our entire city — the alarming state of Richmond Public Schools and lack of economic mobility. I applaud the efforts of Superintendent Jason Kamras and the School Board to reform and repair the administrative culture. There is certainly more work to do, but I am tentatively confident that we are on the right track. Ensuring that RPS is fully funded and equipped with the resources it needs to serve every child in a safe and nurturing environment is a prerequisite for any meaningful change in our community. I am committing to fully funding RPS every budget year.

How I plan to address those issues: I’ve identified three main focus points to address the issue of concentrated poverty in Richmond. First is a strong commitment to RPS. If our children are not prepared to enter a competitive economy, our underserved neighborhoods will continue to struggle. Second is a centralized workforce development initiative that coordi- nates the efforts of all city departments. I will lead partnerships with businesses, trade schools and colleges to guarantee Richmonders have the opportunity and the skill certifications to earn a decent living. I would advocate for a renewed commitment to workforce development. I have seen the impact it can have on a community when done right.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: I am a product of the 5th District — born, raised and educated in this district. I grew up playing in all the parks and I have served as a volunteer in this district over the years. I have served with you and fought with you to keep our neighborhoods safe and served to improve our schools and our infrastructure. Now let me fight for you as your representative to make the 5th and RVA a place where every child has life and every resident has dignity.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The top two issues facing the 5th District are low performing schools, which contributes to our crime rate, and our infrastructure, including the preservation of historical land markers, parks and our river.

How I plan to address those issues:

Apply the maximum financial support possible to build new schools, upgrade facilities and increase teacher salaries. Support community schools to create parent engagement and support opportunities. Work with the council, the mayor and supporting agencies to address our housing crisis, promote mixed-income housing communities and continue supporting efforts addressing the high eviction rate. Hold agencies such as RMA accountable for maintaining land areas. Promote participatory budgeting. Work closely with Richmond 300 and those promoting growth on affordable communities and to preserve our natural resources. Ensure requests for services are being addressed in a timely manner and that funding is in place to complete these services.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because: My proven record of 20 years of trusted service on City Council as one of the most reliable, effective and knowledgeable members ever elected. My prior experience and institutional knowledge in the processes and machinations of City Hall has equipped me to hit the ground running with an understanding of budgeting, financial planning and bonding procedures necessary to help protect the city from major mistakes such as the latest develop- ment proposal. I possess the boldness to stand up to the apparatus of City Hall’s administrative monstrosity. They should vote for someone with an independent voice who is not attached to the mayor’s apparatus.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district? The ongoing priority during my two decades of prior service was education and should always remain at the top of governmental attention. The undergirding issues that affect this priority and other city concerns, however, are racial bias, the opioid epidemic and the culture of nepotism and cronyism that currently detracts from our abilities to fairly address other issues, which is becoming an overriding obstacle that the City Council needs to address. The racial disparities in contracts, employment opportunities and education continue to be the catalyst for impoverished conditions, crime and other socioeconomic disparities.

How I plan to address those issues: I will serve as an accountable representative for the people and speak up on unpopular matters. To address the opioid epidemic, I would recommend the establishment of a University of Crafts to teach drug offenders a trade instead of jail time, provide treatment and then utilize these defendants to meet the city’s deficit trades needs. Regarding race, I would institute a di- verse executive exchange program with major corporations using private sector executives as loaners to help train our employees in technology and industry standards to keep pace with current practices and develop a workforce able to compete with the global market.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because:

I am experienced and effective with established relationships. I’m also transparent, dependable and working for the culture of the city. My institutional knowledge, along with understanding what is required to be effective in this position, motivates and energizes me. I have a wealth of experience as the previous 5th District School Board representative. I am committed to doing the work full time, while bringing a level of transparency and oversight rarely seen in local government. I’m running for City Council because the people of this great city deserve greater access to opportunity and equity, and I can help with that.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

1. Housing: Housing is a human right and everyone in this city deserves the stability a home affords.
2. Public education: For too long, Richmond Public Schools has been neglected as a top line item priority. Divestment from public education affects resident retention, city desirability, but, most importantly, the future and well-being of the youths in the city.

How I plan to address those issues:

1. Housing: I will prioritize the allocation of resources and programs to assist with the special housing needs of seniors, fixed-income families, people with disabilities, city employees, individu- als with low incomes, public housing residents and the formerly homeless and incarcerated. I will advocate for more city shelters and improve homeless services, including transportation.
2. Public education: I will prioritize improvements to RPS over costly development projects. Students come first. It is that simple. My colleagues on City Council and I will follow the city’s spending trends and negotiate a budget that reflects public education as a priority.

Voters should support me for Richmond City Council because:

We need the most qualified and experienced people possible on City Council to tackle our many challenges. In addition to being a recog- nized policy expert, I have extensive administra- tive experience in city government, including as the first director of the successful Office of Community Wealth Building, which has helped thousands of Richmond residents through work- force development programs, support in apply- ing to college and more. I have a proven track record in helping people find jobs, supporting education, promoting collaborative partnerships and working to improve the functioning of city government. I have a heart for people.

What do you see as the top two issues facing the district?

We must dramatically improve schools and reduce poverty in the city. Students experiencing trauma, hunger and housing instability will find it more difficult to focus on learning and achiev- ing in school. About 40 percent of Richmond’s children live in poverty and a large majority of RPS students are economically disadvantaged. Stabilizing families economically will make it easier for kids to succeed in school.

We need to address the glaring inefficiencies and bottlenecks in City Hall that waste resources and make it harder for good work to get done, so citizens in the 5th District can get better services.

How I plan to address those issues: We need to fully fund the RPS strategic plan and accelerate building a new George Wythe High School; support the workforce development work being done by the Office of Community Wealth Building and expand its services into the 5th District; establish a robust citywide housing plan that expands the supply of affordable housing; expand and improve public transportation; and encourage small business, minority business and social enterprise business development. We also need to invest in improving basic operations in- side City Hall in areas like human resources and procurement and apply a rigorous performance management plan to all agencies.