Richmond’s eighth district is getting all the love. Just like in the mayor’s race, the eighth district city council race is one of the most high-profile of Richmond’s nine city council races in 2020, according to fourth district Councilmember Kristen Larson. Larson and ninth district Councilmember Michael Jones are running unopposed in their races for re-election, so The Virginia Star asked them which other district races they were watching.
“[The eight district race has] been very heated,” Larson said. “It’s the most highly contested race in the city.” Eighth district incumbent Reva Trammell and lead challenger Tammy Wentz have both raised over $100,000 in 2020, according to The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP.)
In an email, Jones said, “I will be watching one, two, and eight pretty close. I am looking forward to the Council moving into its purpose of providing greater oversight of the Administration and working collaboratively to represent the Citizens of Richmond.”
Incumbent Andreas Addison represents the first district in Richmond’s West End. According to VPAP, Addison has outraised his two challengers, but challenger Mike Dickinson has had surprising turnout at Trump Trains he has organized in the West End.
The second district seat is currently occupied by mayoral candidate Kim Gray, but has two candidates, Katherine Jordan and Tavarris Spinks. According to Larson, Spinks has experience running local campaigns, but Jordan is the president of the Fan District Association, a powerful organization focused on representing the district in city politics.
Larson said that during the past four years, the city council hasn’t unified as a strong coalition that can challenge the mayor when necessary. She’s hoping that no matter who is elected, the new council will be able to work together more effectively. “I think over the past four years we have not been as loud as we could be,” Larson said.
“I’m open to whoever gets in those seats,” Larson said. “It’s so much internal relationship building. You can have the best ideas in the world, you can want all the things for your district, but if you don’t have four other people that think it’s fabulous, then it’s going nowhere.”
– – –
Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “City Hall” by Taber Andrew Bain CC BY 2.0.
