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Candidates emerge in Richmond mayor’s race and other city contests

Jeremy M. Lazarus | 3/26/2020, 6 p.m. | Updated on 3/27/2020, 11:31 a.m.
The initial candidates are starting to emerge in the race for Richmond offices despite the unprecedented disruptions from coronavirus that ...

The initial candidates are starting to emerge in the race for Richmond offices despite the unprecedented disruptions from coronavirus that are impacting every aspect — from collecting signatures to get on the ballot to fundraising and knocking on doors to meet voters.

The initial candidates are starting to emerge in the race for Richmond offices despite the unprecedented disruptions from coronavirus that are impacting every aspect — from collecting signatures to get on the ballot to fundraising and knocking on doors to meet voters.

In the mayor’s race, incumbent Levar M. Stoney already has filed all the paperwork to run for a second term, according to a list the city Voter Registrar’s Office has compiled.

So has one little known challenger, Tracey McLean, a businesswoman, actress and mother of 10 children, the office noted.

Also, Councilwoman Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, who announced her candidacy for mayor early this month, has filed most of her paperwork.

Two others who could enter the race, but have most or all of the paperwork, are Paul Goldman, a former chairman of the state Democratic Party, and lawyer Justin Griffin.

There is still time for candidates to get in any of the city races. The filing deadline is Tuesday, June 9, for candidates seeking to run in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, election.

On the City Council front, races have begun to shape up in several of the districts.

In the 1st District, Michael Dickenson, who failed to qualify for the ballot in 2016, is preparing to challenge incumbent Councilman Andreas D. Addison, who has not filed any paperwork. The registrar’s list also shows Michael Gray has filed a statement of organization.

In the 2nd District, where Ms. Gray is giving up her seat, the lone candidate to file initial paperwork is Katherine Jordan, secretary of the Richmond Green City Commission, the list shows.

In the 3rd District, with incumbent Chris A. Hilbert stepping down, three people are now listed as candidates, though their filings are incomplete. They are barber Willie Hilliard; Ann-Frances Lambert, daughter of the late former Richmond state Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III, and Elaine Summerfield, who runs Richmond Opportunities Inc., a nonprofit arm of the city’s housing authority.

Milondra Coleman, president of the Richmond Education Association, also has indicated an interest in running again for the seat, but the city Voter Registrar’s Office has not received any paperwork.

In the 6th District, Allan-Charles Chipman, a community organizer, is not shown as filing any paperwork, although he has said he is preparing to run against incumbent Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, who has filed initial paperwork.

In the 8th District, community volunteer Amy Wentz has filed to run against incumbent Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, who filed her paperwork in January, the registrar’s list shows.

In the 9th District, Adrian Preston, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2008, has filed a statement of organization to run against first-term incumbent Councilman Michael J. Jones, who has not filed any paperwork.

No challengers have emerged in the three other districts.

Fourth District incumbent Councilwoman Kristen N. Larson has filed her paperwork. Incumbents Stephanie A. Lynch, 5th District, and Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, have yet to begin the process, according to the list.

The Richmond School Board, which turned over completely in 2016, is expected to have greater stability. At this point, only two members, Dr. Patrick Sapini, 5th District, and Felicia Cosby, 6th District, are not expected to seek re-election.

In the 5th District, three first-time candidates are now listed as competitors, Jennifer Aghomo, David F. Jones and Stephanie Rizzi.

In the 6th District, Lynette Plummer and Deon Wright have filed candidate paper- work, according to the registrar’s list.

At least two incumbent School Board members, Jonathan Young, 4th District, and Dawn C. Page, 8th District, will face challengers, the list shows.

In the 4th District, Deanna Fierro has filed to run against Mr. Young, who has submitted his paperwork. In the 8th District, Dana Sally Allen has submitted paperwork to challenge Ms. Page, who also filed, the list shows.

The registrar’s list does not show any filings from the five other incumbents on the School Board who are expected to seek re-election: Elizabeth Doerr, 1st District; James “Scott” Barlow, 2nd District; Kenya Gibson, 3rd District; Cheryl Burke, 7th District; and Chairwoman Linda Owen, 9th District.