With more than 100,000 votes being reported, incumbents running for Richmond City Council and mayor appear likely to win.
In Richmond’s City Council races, 1st District Council Member Andreas Addison received 48% of the vote with all precincts reporting, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Addison fended off a tough challenge from former Fan District Association President Mike Gray, who received 38% of the vote. Stephanie Lynch, who won her 5th District seat in a special election last year, has racked up 58% of the vote in a four-way race. Incumbents Ellen Robertson in the 6th District and Cynthia Newbille in the 7th District both have 63% of the vote, appearing to overcome challenges by young progressives.
Community organizer Allan-Charles Chipman, who is challenging Robertson, said Wednesday morning via Twitter that he would take a wait-and-see approach.
“As the messy and complex democratic process plays out, we are waiting for every vote to be counted, not only nationally, but across the city and right here in the 6th District,” Chipman said.
Many other campaigns are taking the same approach Wednesday, as the Richmond General Registrar’s office dumped roughly 67,000 absentee ballot results in the early morning hours. It’s still unclear how many Election Day and absentee votes remain unreported.
In the 8th District, Richmond’s most expensive city council race, incumbent Reva Trammell has a four-point lead over challenger Amy Wentz, but that equates to less than 300 votes. The 2nd District race is also too close to call, with candidate Tavarris Spinks only 26 votes ahead of Katherine Jordan.
Results from the Virginia Department of Elections show 3rd District city council candidate Anne-Frances Lambert in the lead with 37% of the vote and all precincts reporting. Elaine Summerfied is trailing Lambert by only 206 votes. If those results hold, Summerfield is not close enough to demand a recount, but in a Facebook post Tuesday night she said she was “practicing patience.”
“I remain hopeful for victory, but won't make that claim until we hear confirmation from the Virginia Department of Elections,” Summerfield said.
Richmond City Council Members Kristen Larson and Michael Jones will retain their seats after running unopposed.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. to reflect new results.