2ND DISTRICT
The three-way contest for an open seat pits real estate developer Charlie Diradour against two-term School Board representative Kimberly Gray and former VCU student Rebecca Keel.
Charlie Diradour, a Fan District resident, challenged outgoing councilman Charles Samuels in 2012. He has a huge cash advantage over his opponents and backing from the fire and police unions, as well as the Richmond Crusade for Voters. “Education and infrastructure and jobs and transportation all tie together. The question is, how do we make it all work together?” he said at a September candidate forum. “The way you make it work together is not have a begging fest annually at City Hall.”
Kimberly Gray, a Jackson Ward native, earned endorsements from the Richmond Education Association and the Richmond City Democratic Committee. She co-chaired Richmond Public Schools’ facilities task force and has been a supporter of Superintendent Dana Bedden. That much of the discussion during this election cycle has centered on improving schools has played into her wheelhouse, she says. “As a council representative, our budget is a moral document,” she said at a candidate forum. “If we say education, public safety and infrastructure are priorities, the budget should reflect that.”
Rebecca Keel, a first-time candidate, has campaigned on increasing cooperation between the three arms of government, as well as improving public access to the decision-making process. The millennial office seeker is counting on younger voters in the district to bolster her bid. “Richmond city government needs a fresh perspective,” she said at a candidate forum. “I know this city. I hear it. I listen to it. I want to work collaboratively with folks to be able to change it.”
4TH DISTRICT
A five-person race to replace longtime councilwoman Kathy Graziano is shaping up to be a crapshoot. In the running are Graziano’s council liaison, Tim Grimes, School Board representative Kristen Larson, former School Board representative Larry Olanrewaju, writer Jeff Thomas and retired corporate lobbyist Johnny Walker.
Tim Grimes has never held elected office, but has several years of experience in constituent service and has Graziano in his corner. He says long-term planning is the next council’s most important job.
“I think I bring the demeanor that would be the proper way to build relationships and move forward from there,” he said at a September candidate forum.
Kristen Larson won her School Board seat in a five-person race in 2012. She served as the board’s vice chairwoman for half of her first term and was instrumental in developing the division’s long-term facilities plan. She has earned the endorsement of the Richmond Education Association.
At a September candidate forum, she pledged to bring a new approach to the budgeting process: “We need to make sure we’re prioritizing and spending tax dollars wisely.”
Larry Olanrewaju, an economics professor at John Tyler Community College, served on the School Board from 1998 to 2004.
At a September candidate forum, he emphasized improving cooperation in City Hall: “City Council, School Board and the mayor need to get out of their own silos and work together for the betterment of the city,” he said.
Jeff Thomas, author of a book on Virginia politics that was due out Oct. 24, joined the running after the “Support Our Schools” movement during the past budget cycle.
In an email, he says he will be the “strongest advocate in the history of City Council” for public education and he will “pinch every penny” to do so. “I’m the only candidate who is willing to put his money where his mouth is and change things.”
Johnny Walker, a Richmond native, challenged Graziano in 2012, and is running again because he believes his background as a corporate lobbyist makes him the candidate most able to help put the city’s financial house in order.
“Poor financial management of the city would be the top priority that I see,” he said at a September candidate forum.
6TH DISTRICT
A fixture on council faces her toughest challenge to date in one of the fastest changing districts in the city.
Donald Moss, a 32-year-old former Democratic operative, has knocked on doors across the district nonstop since this past spring. He has earned endorsements from the Richmond Education Association and the Richmond City Democratic Committee. What does he offer voters that the incumbent does not? “I bring a committed focus to what matters: schools, roads and public safety,” he said in an interview. “And I promise to be a more thoughtful steward of their tax dollars.”
Ellen Robertson was elected to the nine-person body in 2003 and has been re-elected four times. She has served as vice chairwoman and has been a reliable ally of Mayor Dwight C. Jones. She has received endorsements from the Home Building Association of Richmond and the Richmond Association of Realtors. What does she offer the district’s residents that her opponent does not? “Thirty-five years of excellent community development experiences, with plenty of evidence to show that stuff is in the ground and continually coming out of the ground,” she said in an interview.
Update: An earlier version of this article stated that 4th district candidate Kristen Larson had received the endorsement of the Richmond City Democratic Committee. After this story went to press, a recount found that Larson and Walker had tied, resulting in no endorsement in the 4th district race.
