Richmond, Va. – Today, Richmond mayoral candidate and City Councilmember Andreas Addison announced his first wave of endorsements from a group of community leaders, activists, and organizers who advocate for a range of issues like environmental justice, pedestrian safety, public transportation, Black history preservation, and organized labor.

“Andreas will bring principled, progressive leadership to City Hall,” said Jewel Gatling, former Chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and labor organizer. “Right now, we need a leader who will prioritize families and invest in workers, so Richmond is an incredible and affordable place to live and work. Andreas understands that effective leadership means bringing people together and breaking down silos to accomplish long-term goals. He is the progressive champion our city needs, and I’m proud to endorse him as the next mayor.”

“Richmond is at a critical point where we must take real action and invest in RVAgreen 2050 to address environmental injustices impacting Black and Brown residents in the city, especially our youth,” said Rob Jones, an environmental justice leader. “We’re experiencing extreme heat, and it’s going to get hotter. It will flood more, and folks who are on the brink of being displaced will suffer even more during this climate crisis. Andreas’ vision for making the city more climate resilient, with racial and economic justice leading the way, is what we need. He will ensure that impacted communities are not left behind with investments to improve their health and overall wellbeing.” 

The first wave of endorsements include:

• Doug Allen, pedestrian and bike safety advocate

• Henry Bendon, public transportation advocate

• Tara Fitzpatrick, pedestrian safety advocate

• Jewel Gatling, former Chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee and labor organizer    

• David Harris Jr., nephew of Arthur Ashe and founder of the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Initiative

• Jeremy Hoffman, climate scientist and environmental advocate

• Rob Jones, environmental justice leader

• Kendra Norrell, climate justice advocate

• J. Elias O'Neal, Southside community advocate

• Joseph Papa, Democratic activist and community art advocate

• Tavarris Spinks, Democratic organizer and voting rights advocate

“I’m honored to have the support of this esteemed group of Richmonders,” Addison said. “Each endorsement is a reminder of what we can and will accomplish by working together to make our communities stronger. As advocates and community leaders, their confidence in my experience, vision, and policy plans to lead the city as mayor on day one is truly humbling. I’m proud to work alongside these individuals as we continue to build a Richmond that reaches its full potential.”

Addison has served Richmonders for more than 15 years. He spent eight years in City Hall as a management analyst, developing systems to make city government more efficient and transparent for Richmonders. He’s seen firsthand the internal issues that keep City Hall dysfunctional. When he saw the limits of what he could do to fix these problems from within, he ran for City Council, where he’s served the 1st District since 2016. 

Over that time, he delivered historic investments, including:

• $22 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and historic funding for eviction diversion programs

• $1.5 million to provide attorneys to residents facing evictions; 

• Consistent increases to the RPS budget totaling $88 million; 

• Keeping GRTC fare-free, increased bus service, and a 40% pay raise for drivers while lowering wait times; and. 

• Passing a Safe Streets for All policy framework to reach our Vision Zero goals.    

“As a Southside resident and former business reporter, I’ve seen how the city has grown in the last decade, especially in the Southside,” said J. Elias O'Neal, Southside community advocate. “South Richmond is usually an afterthought when it comes to infrastructure, development, and sustainability, often at the expense of legacy residents and businesses. Andreas actually has a plan to build up Southside Richmond, emphasizing the need for connectivity, affordable housing, safer streets, and green spaces. He also understands that we need many of the amenities that are plentiful north of the river, and that’s why he’s committed to bringing at least one grocery store to the Southside.” 

So many promises have been made to Richmonders that many have lost hope in what’s possible,” said Addison. “As mayor, I will work to rebuild trust in good government and make sure the vision we create together as a city becomes a reality.”

View Addison’s priorities, wins, and policies

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About Andreas Addison

Andreas Addison is a public servant, small business owner, and educator serving the Richmond community for more than 15 years. Addison represents the 1st District on Richmond City Council, where he has a proven track record of fighting for affordable housing, greater connectivity in the region, and investments for greater city services. He is the owner of Pure Fitness RVA in Scott’s Addition and is an adjunct professor at UVA in the School of Public Policy. A strong advocate for thriving communities, Addison is committed to a socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, and prosperous Richmond for working families. Addison married his wife, Allison, in 2023, and the couple resides in the Museum District. Join the movement at andreasaddison.com.