With Election Day less than four weeks away, the pace of the political campaign season is picking up. Beyond the obvious buzz of the fascinating presidential race, in Richmond political posters for local candidates are appearing in shop windows and springing up in front yards all over town.
Voters are narrowing their choices.
Every day more undecided voters are deciding. So, some candidates’ chances are improving as you read these words. That, while some candidates are stubbornly hanging on to their hopes to win; others are in the difficult process of accepting they don’t stand a chance. Running for political office at any level is not for the squeamish.
Richmond, which is divided into nine voting districts, will elect a new mayor on Nov. 4, as well as representatives for city council and the school board. This glance at the 9th District and the candidates running for office in the 9th concludes Richmond.com’s profiles of Richmond’s nine voting districts.
According to the 2000 census the population in the 9th District was: 66 percent black; 20 percent white; 14 percent other. From 1990 to 2000 this district’s population increased more than any other in town.
The 9th District is entirely south of the James River. Neighborhoods in the 9th include: Beaufont Hills, Worthington Farms, Berkeley Square, Greenridge, Brookhaven Farms, Fawnbrook and Endicott. The Broad Rock Sports Complex in located in the district, as well.
Public schools in the district include: Francis Elementary; Greene Elementary; Jones Elementary; Redd Elementary; Reid Elementary; Elkhardt Middle.
City Council
There are three candidates on the ballot, seeking to represent the district on city council. They are: Douglas G. Conner, Jr., who is the incumbent; Eugene A. Mason, Jr.; Adrian R. Preston.
Doug Conner, 64, a Marine Corps veteran, is the CEO of Conner Brothers Collision Centers, a family-owned automobile repair business. He is married with three children.
After an unsuccessful run, in 2004, Conner was elected to sit on city council in 2006. His candidacy has been endorsed by the Crusade for Voters.
As councilman, Conner has spearheaded a cleanup campaign in which citizens in his district work together on Saturdays to cleanup their neighborhoods.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Conner has raised considerably more campaign money than either of his challengers. Among his top campaign contributors are wealthy political players Ed Eck and James E. Ukrop. At this writing, Conner has not endorsed a candidate for mayor.
Eugene Mason, 66, is married with two children and four grandchildren. He has retired from a career in sales. He attended classes, with an emphasis on business, at Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Mason, who was on the Richmond School Board for 10 years (1994-04), has been endorsed by the Richmond Education Association. He also served on city council for two years (2004-06). Mason is trying to unseat the man who defeated him in the last election.
For whatever reason, Mason says he does not want his views on issues that concern voters in the 9th District to be mentioned in this report.
Adrian Preston, 28, is single and works in customer service for Lowe’s Home Improvement.
On his own time Preston also serves as a minister at the Church of God of Richmond. “I feel that I’m called to do that,” he says.
Meanwhile, Preston calls for the implementation of a school uniform policy for Richmond‘s public schools, citywide. However, he says he would leave it up to individual schools to decide whether to go along with such a change.
“I believe it’s a more effective way to keep kids' attention in class,” says Preston, who thinks students often get caught up in styles and are distracted from their studies by such concerns.
Why should voters in the district choose him over his opponents?
“I’m a Christian,” says Preston, “I believe in honesty and integrity, and being fair.”
School Board
Evette L. Wilson is the incumbent. Wilson is running unopposed. She has been endorsed by the Crusade for Voters and the Richmond Education Association.
Attempts to reach her were unsuccessful.
In the recent vote (Oct. 6) that approved the controversial charter school plan for Patrick Henry Elementary School, Wilson chose, along with two other members, not to vote. However, in the past she has been opposed to the initiative.
Meet the Other Districts:
