REA endorsement presser
The Richmond Education Association on Wednesday endorsed candidates in the city's mayoral, city council and school board races. (Photo by Mark Robinson)
The Richmond Education Association on Wednesday afternoon endorsed Levar Stoney’s campaign for Richmond mayor, as well as candidates in 16 of the 18 Richmond City Council and Richmond School Board races.
At a downtown press conference, Charlotte Hayer, the organization’s president, commended the former secretary of the commonwealth for soliciting input for his plan to improve Richmond Public Schools and said he would be the “education mayor.”
“Levar Stoney has stood in the shoes so many of our students now find themselves in,” Hayer said, reading from prepared remarks. “Such experiences, coupled with his youth, energy and depth of understanding make [Stoney] the candidate REA members know will take Richmond Public Schools in a new and positive direction.”
The Richmond Education Association is a professional organization representing about 1,300 Richmond Public Schools teachers and support staff. It joins the Richmond City Democratic Committee and the Home Building Association of Richmond in endorsing Stoney’s mayoral bid. The REA announcement comes days after the Richmond Association of Realtors backed former Venture Richmond executive Jack Berry in the race.
The organization also endorsed candidates in 16 of the 18 council and school board races.
Two incumbents – 6th District councilwoman Ellen Robertson and 5th District school board representative Mamie Taylor – did not receive the organization’s vote of confidence.
Below is the complete list of council and school board endorsements.
Richmond City Council
1st: Harry Warner Jr.
2nd: Kimberly Gray
3rd: Chris Hilbert (incumbent)
4th: Kristen Larson
5th: Parker Agelasto (incumbent)
6th: Donald Moss
7th: Cynthia Newbille (incumbent)
8th: Reva Trammell (incumbent)
9th: Michael Jones
Richmond School Board
1st: Dawson Boyer (incumbent)
2nd: Scott Barlow
3rd: Jeff Bourne (incumbent)
4th: No endorsement
5th: Patrick Sapini
6th: Shonda Harris-Muhammed (incumbent)
7th: Nadine Marsh-Carter
8th: No endorsement
9th: Linda Owen
