By: Maria-Paula
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, 42, the youngest Mayor in Richmond’s history, announced on Monday that he will contest the Virginia Governorship 2025 by joining the democratic party nomination. If elected in the foreseen tough nominating contest with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, 44, who will not seek reelection to Congress but run for governor, Stoney’s quest will make him the second African American elected governor in Virginia’s history.
With complaints of suppression of fundamental rights and stifling of democracy amongst the people of color from Gov. Glen Youngkin’s(R) regime, a Stoney candidature couldn’t have come at a better time for the democrats.
Born in New York but raised in Hamptons Road from a young age by his father and grandmother, Marvin and Mary, Stoney a trailblazer, was the first one in his family to graduate from both high school and college with a degree in Public Administration and Political Science from James Madison University.
Also, as the first Black Secretary of the Commonwealth during the first years of former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s term in office, he led efforts to help restore voting rights for almost 200,000 Virginia residents who had served time for felonies.
“It’s time we put the hopes and dreams of Virginians first. That’s why I’m running for governor. For families like mine that just need an opportunity. For kids like me who will thrive in school if they get the right chance. And for parents like my dad who work multiple jobs and still struggle to live a secure, middle-class life,” said Stoney.
If elected, Stoney will be the first Black Governor in Virginia in over three decades.
As mayor, Stoney leads a diverse city with urban problems of crime and a troubled school system, and has ties with the young, liberal wing of the party despite being criticized for courting corporate interests and developers.
His youthful enthusiasm has led Richmond through a notable span of rapid economic growth and renewal opening up the city to development with an influx of young workers.
During his tenure, the 2020 racial protests following the death of George Floyd pushed forward the agenda of controversial past confederate struggles in VA. He led the destruction of statues along Monument Avenue in the former confederacy capital of the US with highlights of Stoney staying at an undisclosed location to block opponents from serving him with a subpoena that could stop the work.
He transformed a city that had neglected schools, a struggling budget, crumbling infrastructure and turned it around, to positively transforming infrastructure projects, reducing poverty rate, and creating a budget surplus. His work has placed Richmond as a top-rated destination in Virginia.
A recent report showed that the city of Richmond’s poverty rate has dropped by more than 20 percent. The Travel & Leisure magazine in its September edition, also rated Richmond the best place to live in Virginia.
As the former Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Virginia, he knows the Commonwealth well – from conversations at coffee shops in Portsmouth, to rallies in Prince William County, to town halls in Arlington. Stoney has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities Virginians face and has won two tough races by putting together the same diverse coalition it will take to win back the Governorship – exciting young people, motivating voters of color, and connecting with suburban voters.
Massive endorsements from Senate Caucus leadership and both the current and former General Assembly Members are only proof of the desire of many to realize change in Virginia. To bolster his stab at the seat, Stoney’s candidature has recorded the endorsement of forty-six elected officials and community leaders across the Commonwealth, only a few hours after the official announcement was made. The support of current and former mayors, council members, school board members, county supervisors, and constitutional officers is revealing of the influence that the current mayor has a statement on his potential to bring the state together towards a common cause.
Leaders showered Mayor Stoney with accolades in their statements of endorsements, promising to support his bid with a view to transforming the fortunes of the great state of Virginia.
Virginia’s 72nd mayor Terry McAuliffe, endorsed Stoney to be Virginia’s 75th Governor. The Governor highlighted the mayor’s time as Secretary of the Commonwealth, experience navigating state government, and executive experience as Mayor of Richmond as reasons why Mayor Stoney will be ready to govern on day one of his administration.

“State government is a complex and sprawling entity to run in the best of times, and given our one-term governorship, it leaves little time for on-the-job training. Levar is absolutely ready to govern on day one. As Mayor, he has fixed crumbling infrastructure, made historic investments in public education, and worked tirelessly to make Richmond a welcoming environment for everyone – no matter what they look like or where they come from,” said McAuliffe. “Additionally, Levar has created a thriving economy that has attracted billions of dollars of investment, created thousands of jobs, and he’s cut red-tape to allow for consistent growth.”

Upon receiving the endorsement, Mayor Stoney said: “I am honored to receive the endorsement of my friend and mentor, Governor McAuliffe. During his administration, I was proud to work with him to restore voting rights to nearly 200,000 Virginians – more than the last seven administrations combined. His record as Governor is unassailable and I am thankful to have him on the team.”

“As a fellow Mayor, I know the everyday challenges Virginian’s face and the importance of having a strong local leader to ensure these challenges are dealt with. I know that Mayor Levar Stoney understands the importance of rolling up his sleeves and getting things done. I have witnessed Mayor Stoney build a thriving Richmond, and I look forward to seeing him continue this important work at the state-level,” said Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea, sentiments shared by former Hampton Mayor, Molly Ward.
Reiterating their pride and support for Stoney as the next Virginia governor, Richmond School Board Member Liz Doerr, Delegate-Elect Michael Jones, Alexandria Councilman John T. Chapman and Henrico Board of Supervisors Member Tyrone Nelson and many others expressed their confidence in Stoney’s ability to lead, serve and deliver to the Virginians following tremendous positive growth under his tenure in the region.

In response to the outpouring of support, Stoney reiterated his appreciation by recognizing his endorsers.
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of so many elected and community leaders across Virginia, all of whom have a deep understanding of what their communities need and are working to better our great Commonwealth,” said Stoney. Together, we will continue to reach voters in every corner of Virginia and fight to ensure that all Virginians have the chance to thrive, no matter where they live,” he added.
Stoney has hired his political staff and plans to transverse the state in a bid to capture the seat in the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial elections with no clear information of any Republican candidates so far following an end to Youngkin’s second consecutive term in the office.
For more information on Stoney’s campaign for Governor, visit: www.levarstoney.com