Dr. Danny Avula, a longtime public health leader who coordinated vaccination efforts under Gov. Ralph Northam and also served as former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, has announced his bid to become mayor of Richmond.

Throughout his career in public service in Richmond, Dr. Avula, a Democrat, has held several different roles, including director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, Gov. Northam’s lead architect of the statewide COVID-19 vaccination effort, and commissioner of the state’s Department of Social Services, according to a press release about his entrance into local politics.

“I know what’s possible when we focus our strengths and resources to solve problems in Richmond,” said Dr. Avula. “I have firsthand experience working with our city’s diverse communities and bringing together public and private sector partners to build stronger, healthier communities — and we need that experience in City Hall.

“I’m running for Mayor because Richmond is at an inflection point and needs a proven leader at the held,” he said. “I spearheaded the vaccine rollout efforts to bring Virginia from 50th to the top 10 most vaccinated states. As mayor, I will fight to fully fund public education and embed resources for families in every community; I will protect reproductive freedom and defend against any attempt to limit access to abortion; I will lead a more responsive, proactive, and accountable City Hall; and I will invest in our neighborhoods so that they are safer, more walkable and bikeable, and more climate-resilient.”

Dr. Avula lives in the East End with his five children, and his wife Mary Kay, a Richmond Public Schools elementary school teacher. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Avula was named one of Richmond’s “Top Docs” each year from 2013-2022.

In launching his campaign for mayor, Dr. Avula has stepped down as the commissioner for the state’s Department of Social Services. He will continue to work as a pediatric hospitalist at Chippenham Hospital throughout his campaign for Mayor, his press statement reads.