After ruling out a mayoral bid and considering a campaign for Richmond City Council, Richmond School Board chairman Jeff Bourne has decided instead to seek reelection this upcoming November.
Bourne, 39, represents the North Side 3rd district, which includes Ginter Park and Gilpin Court. He is serving his second stint as chairman of the nine-person body to which he was elected in 2012.
“We’re making some good strides at [Richmond Public Schools] and I want to continue to try to be a part of that,” Bourne said in an interview Tuesday afternoon.
Bourne’s decision means six School Board incumbents are now seeking reelection. The others are Dawson Boyer (1st district), Mamie Taylor (5th district), Shonda Harris-Muhammed (6th district), Derik Jones (8th district) and Tichi Pinkney Eppes (9th district).
Kimberly Gray, who represents the Fan, Carver and Jackson Ward, and Kristen Larson, who represents Westover Hills, have filed to run for the Richmond City Council seats in their respective districts. Vice Chairman Don Coleman, who represents the East End 7th district, said last month he would not seek reelection.
Bourne will face at least two challengers: Kevin Starlings and Jessee Perry. Tuesday, June 14 is the deadline to file paperwork to appear on the November ballot.
