For the first time since redistricting, residents will cast ballots for Richmond City Council. Each of the nine seats are up for grabs in November.
Current Council President Kristen Nye, who represents the Fourth District, said she’s not seeking re-election after serving one term in the leadership role. And Councilor Andreas Addison has announced his bid for mayor, leaving the First District post open.
The Third, Sixth and Seventh districts are currently three-way races — and several first-time candidates will vie for seats across the city.
Following the election, council will continue contending with the Diamond District development, the Shockoe Project, as well as the introduction of the city’s Zoning Advisory committee.
The list below will be updated as new information becomes available.
First District
Zac Walker
Walker, a VCU graduate, has worked for Dominion Energy in a number of roles since 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile. His candidate website also says Walker served as president of the Monument Avenue Park Civic Association.
Walker's written that he'll aim to improve city management, schools and help devise "smart" development across the city while building a more walkable and bikeable area. This will be his first bid for elected office.
Second District
Katherine Jordan
Jordan — who defeated Tavarris Spinks in a 2020 race for the position — is the only city councilor to vote against both casino referendums. She previously served as a member of the Fox Elementary School PTA, as president of the Fan District Association and as a member of Richmond's Green City Commission, according to her campaign website.
Jordan's focused on environmental initiatives, the expansion of tax relief, traffic and safety issues, as well as "reviving the Public Utilities & Urban Forestry Commissions," according to her website.
Third District
Maria Carra Rose
Rose is seeking elected office for the first time. She is the owner of Augmenti Consulting and a former HR professional, according to her campaign website.
Her site highlights public education, housing and maintaining open lines of communication with her potential constituency as pillars of the campaign.
Rose formally announced her candidacy on April 26 via social media.
Kenya Gibson
Gibson has served on the Richmond School Board since 2017. She’s also a co-founder of the progressive political organization Richmond for All.
In Gibson’s campaign announcement, she wrote that she was pleased to introduce legislation that led to city schools employees being able to unionize. The focus of her campaign includes economic justice, governmental transparency and what she calls "People-First Spending."
Ann-Frances Lambert
Lambert currently serves as council vice president. She ran an unsuccessful 2023 House of Delegates campaign to represent District 79 against Del. Rae Cousins — during which campaign finance issues were raised.
Her LinkedIn profile lists Lambert as CEO of DroneScape Films — an aerial photo and video company.
Fourth District
Sarah Abubaker
Abubaker previously served as Richmond Public Schools spokesperson and currently is director of strategic communications for Collegiate School in Richmond. She has been endorsed by outgoing Council President Nye.
Abubaker’s campaign website lists walkability and pedestrian infrastructure, the environment, affordable housing and government efficiency among her priorities.
Garrett Sawyer
Sawyer entered the Fourth District race after leaving behind his bid for Richmond mayor. He ran for the Fifth District council post in 2016, but was defeated by Parker Agelasto.
He is currently CEO of Sawyer HR Consulting.
Public safety, housing, schools and the modernization of City Hall are listed on Sawyer’s campaign website as planks of his platform.
Fifth District
Stephanie Lynch
Lynch is currently running unopposed and has held her seat since winning a 2019 special election. She won a four-way race in 2020 with more than 55% of the vote to retain the post.
Her campaign website lists priorities like addressing gun violence, budgeting, government transparency, housing and education.
Sixth District
Tavares Floyd
Floyd, Councilor Ellen Robertson’s former liaison of five years, is an attorney and lectures at George Mason's Carter School for Peace & Conflict Resolution.
Quality of life issues, business development and safety are among his priorities, according to Floyd's campaign website.
Willie Hilliard
Hilliard ran an unsuccessful 2016 campaign for the Third District post, earning 27% of the vote. At the time, he told WRIC housing affordability was his top priority.
Ellen Robertson
Robertson is the longest serving current member of council, having first won a 2003 special election for the seat.
She helped put in place the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and in an Instagram post announcing her bid for re-election said she still has work to do around the issues of “sustainable development, equitable opportunities, and comprehensive community engagement.”
Seventh District
Tony Miller
Miller is a first-time candidate for elected office.
Miller listed jobs, education, and "smart" development and growth as priorities for their campaign.
Cynthia Newbille
Newbille first won the seat in 2009 and most recently defeated Joseph Rogers in 2020 to protect the post. During her tenure on the panel, Newbille has served as council vice president from 2017 to 2018 and council president between 2019 and 2022.
Newbille hosted Urban One's Cathy Hughes and Alfred Liggins at a district meeting in October 2023 ahead of the city’s second referendum on locating a casino in Southside.
Eric Sundberg
Sundberg failed to qualify for the ballot in the 2023 race to represent District 79 in the House of Delegates, according to VPAP.
His campaign website indicated Sundberg’s a member of the Richmond Democratic Socialists of America and organized around labor and housing issues. He also previously worked as chief of staff for Del. Joshua Cole (D–Fredericksburg).
Eighth District
Reva Trammell
Trammell has held the seat — other than one term in the early 2000s — since 1998. She successfully defended the post in a three-way 2020 race, when questions were raised over a contribution her campaign received. Trammell also was a vocal proponent of the most recent casino proposal.
Ninth District
Nicole Jones
Jones began serving on council in 2024, after being appointed to serve the remainder of the term of now-Del. Mike Jones, no relation. Previously, Jones served as a member of the city school board beginning in 2021.
She’s currently deputy director of the nonprofit Arts 180.
To find district and voting precinct information, visit the city’s Department of Elections site.