Longtime public health leader Danny Avula announced his campaign for Richmond mayor Wednesday morning with a platform that aims to improve the city’s economy, education and accessibility.
“I have firsthand experience working with our city’s diverse communities and bringing together public and private sector partners to build strong, healthier communities,” Avula stated in a release. “We need that experience in City Hall.”
Avula is a pediatrician at Chippenham Hospital, who previously served as director of the Richmond and Henrico Health District. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a prominent figure regularly giving press conferences to update the public on the rising number of coronavirus cases in the region.
Later in the pandemic, Gov. Ralph Northam tapped Avula to lead the statewide vaccination effort. In February 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Avula to be commissioner of the state Department of Social Services. He recently stepped down from this position to campaign for mayor.
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If elected, Avula said he will focus on a number of issues including promoting businesses, ensuring Richmond maintains a strong economy, fighting to fully fund public education, ensuring families have adequate access to resources, improving public safety, investing in green infrastructure and making City Hall more productive and accessible to residents.
Who else is running?
His announcement comes months into the race with several candidates vying for the position.
To date, five other people have launched their campaigns including current 1st District council representative Andreas Addison, former council representative Michelle Mosby, community activist Maurice Neblett as well as businessmen Garrett Sawyer and Harrison Roday.
Former council member Chris Hilbert dropped out of the race last month saying he did not have the time to devote to a campaign.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, Mosby has raised the most campaign funds with $104,913. Sawyer trails with $100,302. Roday and Addison have yet to report campaign donations in this race.
Holsworth: Too early to know Avula’s chances
Political analyst Bob Holsworth, a former professor and dean at Virginia Commonwealth University, said Avula’s entrance brings in added layers to the mayoral race.
On one hand, Holsworth said, Avula’s work with the state has helped boost his popularity and his recognition with the public. However, Holsworth added, his association with Gov. Youngkin’s administration in a Democratic city may hinder his chances of winning.
However, this early in the race, Holsworth said it is too early to weigh in on one candidate’s chances against another.
“He’s very well known in the region. He has a lot of support and a lot of people like him,” Holsworth said. “I think the question is, will his connection to the Youngkin administration and Republicans be a challenge for him in a Democratic city?”
Avula lives in the city’s East End with his five children, and his wife Mary Kay, a Richmond Public Schools elementary school teacher.
“I’m running for mayor because Richmond is at an inflection point and needs a proven leader at the helm,” Avula stated. “I know how to manage a crisis. A thriving Richmond is possible for all of us, and our residents deserve nothing less.”