Jack Berry (Photo courtesy of Venture Richmond)
Add Jack Berry’s name to the list of declared candidates for the city’s crowded 2016 mayoral race.
“I am running for mayor to help make Richmond a high performing city that is a magnet of opportunity for young people, for families, and for those who have been left behind," Berry said in a statement sent out Tuesday afternoon.
“Richmond deserves an experienced leader who will manage the city’s money and deliver basic services well.”
The official announcement comes two weeks after Berry announced his resignation from Venture Richmond after 18 years. The public-private partnership promotes the region and organizes popular events like the Folk Festival and Dominion Riverrock. Prior to his stint at Venture, Berry worked as a Hanover County administrator in the ‘90s.
Berry’s announcement comes as about a dozen candidates, both potential and declared, are set to participate in a forum at Virginia Union University hosted by former Virginia governor and Richmond mayor L. Douglas Wilder.
Berry joins a field of candidates that includes City Council President Michelle Mosby, Councilman Jon Baliles, former councilman Bruce Tyler, former delegate Joe Morrissey, community strategist Lillie A. Estes, architect Lawrence Williams, businessman Brad Froman, activists Alan Schintzius and Rick Tatnall, and Richmond Public Schools teacher Chad Ingold.
Councilman Chris Hilbert and Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney have expressed interest in running but have yet to formally announce their bids.
