The race for the mayor of Richmond is heating up. Del. Dwight Jones, a member of the House since 1994 and Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, announced Wednesday that he will seek this office. Jones becomes the third announced candidate, while sitting Mayor Doug Wilder has not announced if he will run for re-election.
If Jones wins in November, he will have to resign his seat in the House and a special election will have to be held to replace him. While I would hate to see him leave the House, I think he would do a fine job as mayor.
You can find out more about Jones’ candidacy, including the issues on which he will be focusing, on his campaign website.
If Wilder decides to run, it could be an incredibly fascinating primary.
There is no primary; it is a nonpartisan election. However, there is a runoff system, which might be of what you are speaking. If no candidate in the November general election receives the most votes in at least 5 of the 9 city council districts, then the top 2 vote getters citywide proceed to a runoff 6 weeks later. Again, it is the candidate who receives the most votes in at least 5 of the 9 city council districts in the runoff who is elected mayor (only in the rare event that each candidate wins 4 districts and the 5th is a tie does the top vote getter citywide win).
It will be an interesting election. So far, Del. Dwight Jones, fomer City Councilwoman Jackie Jackson, and former Wilder aide Paul Goldman are in the race. It remains to be seen if Mayor Doug Wilder, City Council President William Pantele, or anyone else decides to join them. Stay tuned.
BTW, Vivian or anyone else, what is going on in the race for Virginia Beach mayor?