City of Richmond

Current City Councilman Andreas Addison has served in the Richmond City Council since 2016. His career shows many examples of progressive stances. He has also done tremendous work when it comes to public transportation in Richmond. However, in 2022, while Richmonders overall strongly opposed casino efforts, Councilman Addison along with all but one member of City Council voted in favor of bringing a second casino referendum to the ballot. The initial referendum was voted down the previous year. While City Councilman Andreas Addison is a progressive choice, we do not believe he is the most progressive choice in this race.

Former City Councilwoman Michelle Mosby served in the Richmond City Council from 2012 to 2016. She previously ran for Mayor of Richmond in 2016. She is an entrepreneur, realtor, and founder of the Help Me Help You Foundation, a nonprofit that helps returning citizens manage the transition from incarceration into employment. While former City Councilwoman Michelle Mosby is a progressive choice, we do not believe she is the most progressive choice in this race. 

Dr. Danny Avula is a public health leader and pediatrician who served as the director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for six years. In 2021, Governor Northam appointed him to lead the statewide COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The following year, Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Dr. Avula as the new commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

His campaign site touts many progressive policies, such as affordable housing, universal pre-K, and expanding reproductive healthcare. However, Dr. Avula’s life and career as an experienced public health official, while commendable, does not outweigh the concerns regarding his connection to a church that partners with crisis pregnancy centers. We also cannot ignore his desire to bring in someone who is considered to be anti-teacher and anti-union in regards to the hiring of the Chief Administrative Officer. Further, Dr. Avula has described his moving to Richmond’s East End as moving to an “impoverished neighborhood” to build community. For these reasons, Dr. Avula is NOT a progressive choice in this race. 

Independent candidate, Maurice Neblett, is a community organizer and board member of a local federal credit union. Based on the information we could find, Neblett does hold some progressive stances. However, he has expressed his interest in lowering the state real estate tax, which would directly impact funding for needed resources. For this reason and a lack of information on other stances, Maurice Neblett is NOT a progressive choice in this race.
 

Incumbent City Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert currently serves as the Vice President of Richmond City Council and the representative for the 3rd district in Richmond, Virginia. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Governmental Operations Standing Committee, a member of the Land Use and Transportation Committee, and the Chair of the Richmond Sister Cities Commission. Councilwoman Lambert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Howard University. 

Independent candidate Maria Carra Rose is a member of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and a former human resources professional. She is a longtime organizer and activist who previously served as a general contractor. Rose is a longtime resident of the Third District and is the mother of two Richmond Public School students. While her values seem to be progressive, there is not enough information outside of her campaign site to consider her strongly more progressive than either of the other two candidates in this race. 

Stephanie Starling is a mother and lifelong resident of Richmond’s Southside. She is a graduate of George Wythe High School and Norfolk State University and received a Graduate Certificate in HR Management from the University of Richmond in 2024. She has previously volunteered for Betsy Carr’s campaign. She is a member of the VUU Booster Club, the Richmond Crusade for Voters, the RVA Democratic Committee, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

RECOMMENDATION
The issues Starling discusses are marginally progressive, but there is not enough information on her policy intentions to make a clear recommendation here.