The following is from the Michael Jones (D) for Delegate campaign. Note that Jones was introduced/endorsed this morning by Reverend Todd Grave (of the 5th Street Baptist Church in Richmond); Richmond School Board Chair Cheryl Burke; Richmond Councilman Andreas Addison; and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Jones is challenging incumbent Del. Betsy Carr (D), who has represented the district since 2010, is 74 years old and white.
According to Jones, “The people deserve an elected leader who is active in the community when it’s not their election year, on even and odd years. Someone who will call for the removal of statues before it becomes popular, because it’s the right thing to do. Someone who will march with protesters, and sit down to demand answers from police officers.” Jones adds that if he’s elected, he will be the “first person of color to represent this majority-minority district,” adding that “in 2021, that’s embarrassing.” He also charges that Del. Carr has “failed to apply voice or energy to the system that holds so many of us back.”
This should be a fascinating primary to watch!
Councilperson Mike Jones Announces Campaign for Delegate
On the first day of Black History Month, Mike Jones aims to make history in the 69th.
RICHMOND, VA – Today at 11 AM 9th District City Councilperson Michael Jones announced his campaign for the 69th House of Delegates seat. Councilperson Jones was first elected to Richmond’s 9th District in 2016 and gained notoriety for being the first voice on council to call for the removal of the confederate statues on Monument Ave back in 2017. Jones also serves the community as a Pastor at Village of Faith Ministries.
The 69th House of Delegates District is a 68% majority minority district which includes all of the 9th District, all of the 5th District, and most of Districts 8 and 4. The incumbent has not faced a serious primary challenge since 2009. The 69th District has never been held by a person of color despite the lopsided demographics. Councilperson Mike Jones would be the first African American to hold the seat
“I am running for the House of Delegate to represent the 69th District because Representation Matters. I am running to be the People’s Voice in the General Assembly. All of us have felt marginalized, forgotten, and left out at some point by our elected leaders, I am running to fix that.”
“The people deserve an elected leader who is active in the community when it’s not their election year, on even and odd years. Someone who will call for the removal of statues before it becomes popular, because it’s the right thing to do. Someone who will march with protesters, and sit down to demand answers from police officers.”
“I am running because the people deserve a representative who shares their experiences, who has felt their pain. We know we can do better on Education Policy, Healthcare, Workers Rights, and Reforming our broken Justice Systems. We know that when we grow our communities in a SMART way that protects the environment, invests in equity, and has a vision for the future, we all win.”
– Michael Jones, Candidate for HD 69
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