Eighteen candidates are vying for seats on the Richmond City Council in the upcoming November election. The field includes seven incumbents and 11 challengers across the city’s nine districts.

The election presents a blend of experienced incumbents seeking to defend their positions and fresh faces eager to bring new perspectives to the council chambers.

The stakes are high for Richmond’s future, as the City Council plays a crucial role in shaping policies that directly impact residents’ daily lives. From education and public safety to housing and economic development, the council will be tasked with addressing a wide array of pressing issues facing the city.

Each candidate brings their own set of experiences, priorities and visions for Richmond’s future. This roundup provides an overview of who’s running, their backgrounds and the key issues they’re championing so voters can make an informed decision at the ballot box.

In the 1st District, Zachary Walker, Andrew “Gumby” Breton and Paul Goldman are in the race to succeed Andreas Addison for the seat.

Walker, a Virginia Commonwealth University graduate with experience on the Monument Avenue Park Civic Association, has built his campaign priorities around funding public schools, safer and more pedestrian-friendly streets and improving the efficiency of city government. For more information, visit zacwalkerrva.com.

Breton serves as chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and board member of the Richmond Parent Teacher Association, and has built a platform focused on public safety, improving and modernizing city services, funding Richmond Public Schools and reimagining Monument Avenue. For more information, see bretonforrichmond.com.

Goldman brings experience as the chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, serving as part of multiple high-profile electoral campaigns including that of former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, and time as a political analyst and lawyer. He’s also known for his criticism of city proposals and projects.

Incumbent and 2nd District Rep. Katherine Jordan will run for reelection unopposed, and has touted her part in the passage of the Climate Emergency Resolution, ensuring funding for RPS and support for the reconstruction of Fox Elementary as part of her campaign. For more information, visit  electkatherinejordan.com.

In the city’s 3rd District, representative and Council Vice President Ann-Frances Lambert is running against Richmond School Board member Kenya Gibson and Richmond City Democratic Committee member Maria Carra Rose.

Lambert has highlighted her first-term accomplishments in her campaign, and has promised priorities focused on public safety, accessible and available housing, education, economic development and safe spaces for youth. For more information, visit AnnCan2024.com. 

Gibson, who represents the 3rd District on the School Board, has made accessible city leadership, economic justice in housing and labor, and the improvement of public services major commitments of her campaign. For more information, visit kenyagibson.com.

Rose is an RPS parent, former human resources professional and community organizer. She has focused her campaign priorities on quality, fully funded schools, addressing housing prices, safe and walkable city streets and a responsive and accountable government. For more information, visit carraforcouncil.com.

Sarah Abubaker, an adjunct assistant professor at Virginia State University with experience at the Westover Hills Neighborhood Association and volunteer work at Art 180 and the Bon Air Juvenile Correction Center, is running unchallenged for the 4th District seat. She has built a platform centered on a responsive, effective City Hall, affordable housing, property tax reform and environmental protection. For more information, visit sarahabubaker.com. 

Stephanie A. Lynch will also run unopposed to retain her seat as 5th District representative, with a campaign promising work to improve schools, reimagine public safety, expand affordable housing, increase transparency and decrease gun violence. For more information, visit electstephanielynch.com.

In the 6th District, Ellen F. Robertson will defend her seat from challengers Tavares Floyd and Willie Hilliard Jr. She seeks to continue a decades-long term in office, and is touting her work in improving affordable housing and economic growth, addressing issues with gun violence, public safety and education, and improving city operations. For more information, visit re-electellenrobertson6thdistrict.com. 

Floyd, meanwhile, is a lawyer, small business owner and the cousin of George Floyd, who was murdered by police in Minneapolis in 2020. He was also a council liaison for Robertson for almost five years. Floyd is running on the promise of advocacy for all district neighborhoods, safety, business development and compassionate solutions for homelessness. For more information, visit tavaresfloyd.com.

Hilliard previously served as a community organizer for the North Side Food Access Coalition and ran for the 3rd District City Council seat in 2020. Affordable housing, government transparency, equitable transportation, housing, environmental justice and food access are among the commitments of his platform. For more information, see williehilliard.com.

Cynthia I. Newbille and Eric Sundberg are seeking the 7th District seat this November.

Newbille, the incumbent, has served for 14 years, bringing a wealth of professional experience that includes time with the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation, and health has remained a major focus of her work inside and outside City Hall.

She currently serves as part of the Organizational Development, Education and Human Services, and Finance and Economic Development committees. For more information, see facebook.com/rvaeastenddistrict. 

Sundberg is a former chair of the Richmond Democratic Socialists of America and former chief of staff for Virginia Del. Joshua Cole, and is running on a platform that includes housing and food for all, reparations for exploited and displaced neighborhoods and eviction reduction. For more information, see votesundberg.com. 

In the 8th District, incumbent Reva M. Trammell is running against Frank Henry Wilson Jr.

This year’s election is the latest for Trammell’s long career in city government, which includes her work on the Organizational Development and Human Safety committees. She was also part of the effort to ensure collective bargaining for city employees. For more on her campaign, visit instagram.com/revatrammell8.

Wilson previously served as a judicial officer with the Supreme Court of Virginia, with decades of experience in management work and the private sector that he is looking to apply to the duties and responsibilities of City Council. For more on him, visit frankwilson4rvadistrict8.com.

The 9th District seat, left empty after Michael Jones was elected to the Virginia General Assembly, will see former competitors for the office face off again in November.

The current representative, Nicole Jones, previously represented the 9th District on the Richmond School Board and is the deputy director of Art 180. She has a passion for the Richmond community, education and creative work in general. For more information, see ninthdistrictrva.com/about.

Challenging Jones for the seat again is Stephanie Starling, a community organizer, advocate and Verizon consultant. She has focused on a more equitable district, banking and food access, the city’s development and infrastructure, public safety and affordable housing as part of her campaign. For more information, visit stephanie4the9th.co.