Two officers of the Richmond City Democratic Committee formed a separate political action committee that has endorsed local candidates not backed by city Democrats, a move that several members say undermines the value of the city committee’s endorsement.
James “JJ” Minor, RCDC president, and Sandra Antoine, an RCDC vice chair, formed the Greater Richmond Regional Democratic Coalition PAC last month. Antoine filed a statement of organization with the Virginia State Board of Elections on Oct. 25, less than three weeks after RCDC endorsed candidates in City Council and School Board races. Her residence is listed as the committee’s mailing address, and her cell number is listed as its business phone. Minor is listed as its president.
The newly formed committee endorsed a handful of candidates, including Mariah White (School Board, 2nd District), Johnny Walker (City Council, 4th District), Garrett Sawyer (council, 5th District) Ellen Robertson (council, 6th District) and Reva Trammell (council, 8th District). None of the above earned the RCDC endorsement in their respective races.
At Thursday’s monthly meeting, some RCDC members spoke out about the move. Amelia Lightner, an 8th District council candidate who earned the RCDC endorsement, criticized the officers' actions.
“Elected officers in the committee are forming a committee within the committee, and I think it’s just so divisive,” Lightner said during the meeting. “I really just don’t appreciate that, and I’m disappointed.”
Donald Moss, a candidate for City Council in the 6th District, also earned the RCDC endorsement. Now his opponent, Robertson, is advertising the newly formed committee’s endorsement on literature and emails.
“I’m happy to be endorsed by the only committee that matters: the Richmond Democratic Committee,” Moss said in an interview.
Carrie Cox, an RCDC member of 13 years who sits on its executive committee, said she first learned about the newly formed committee yesterday. She called the situation confusing.
"[RCDC] decided that these are the people who should be endorsed ... It's going to be very confusing for voters to know who the actual Democrats are at the polls," Cox said.
An RCDC member of more than 20 years who asked not to be named characterized the situation as “shady as sh--.”
After Thursday’s meeting, Antoine referred questions about the PAC to Minor. Minor said the new committee has held meetings since February and includes representatives from 13 localities in the region. Paperwork filed with the state Board of Elections shows the committee has three officers: Minor, Antoine and Felicia Cosby, a candidate for the Richmond School Board in the 6th District who won endorsement from the RCDC.
“We’re not in competition with this organization right here,” Minor said. “It does not undermine what [RCDC] is doing.”
Minor would not answer questions about the number of members the new committee has, who is supporting it financially, whether it has bylaws or how its endorsement process unfolded.
According to the state party bylaws, "No Democratic committee member or officer of any Democratic committee shall publicly support, endorse, or assist any candidate opposed to a Democratic nominee."
Emily Bolton, a spokeswoman for the state party, said in an email the organization is “looking into the matter.”
