Zac
Walker

I am passionate about representing the citizens of the First District on City Council because I believe it is the crown jewel of our city. Having lived in Richmond for the majority of the past 20 years, and as a proud VCU graduate, I have a deep-rooted connection to and vested interest in the well-being of this community. One of my top priorities in office would be to preserve the unique character of our city for future generations. 

Andrew Breton

For fifteen years I have been a community organizer because I enjoy connecting people to each other and to the legislative process. I am honored to be a resident of the First District because we are a community that believes in this city. Many of us have options of where to live and we choose to be a part of Richmond’s story and to contribute to the city’s future success.

I want to help ensure that Richmond remains a city that is vibrant, healthy, safe and beautiful. 

Paul Goldman

For the same reason I’m the only candidate running for mayor or council who had the guts to not only stand up to Stoney’s corrupted Casino proposal but lead the anti-Casino campaign that defeated what RTD columnist Michael Paul Williams called their vile antisemitic, racist, sexist campaign. You can’t build a better future for Richmond on the old divisions and hatreds of the past. We need proven leadership, for a change. I have a national record here. See my website.

Zac
Walker

As the past president and an active member of the Monument Ave Park Civic Association (MAP), I have dedicated myself to enhancing our neighborhood. My efforts have significantly contributed to its dramatic improvement through various community events, as well as advocacy with city officials for infrastructure upgrades and input on planned development.

Andrew Breton

Recent positions I’ve held include:

-        Chair of Richmond City Democratic Committee
-        State Board Member and Chapter Lead of Progressive Massachusetts
-        Chair of Fundraising for Mary Munford Elementary School PTA

My commitment to policy advocacy began in 2008 with the foreclosure crisis. I was a UVA grad working for BlackRock on a mortgage portfolio team. People were losing their homes and the government was bailing out banks. At the time I believed that we could have kept families in their homes and reduced the damage of the recession. I was so disappointed by the policy response that I quit finance to go to Duke for Economics to try to promote better policies.

Since that time, though my day job is data engineering, I have spent my free time as an organizer - hosting candidate forums, educating voters, mobilizing volunteers, and lobbying for better legislation in Richmond VA and Boston MA. My work is always focused on connecting people to the legislative process and promoting better outcomes.

Paul Goldman

I’ve referenced above the fight against the Casino. in 2017 I joined up with the Richmond Crusade for Voters in a biracial, bipartisan coalition promoting our School Modernization Referendum. It got 85% support citywide. Would have fixed Munford, Hill and TJ. But Stony and Council refused to implement it. Read my book Remaking Virginia Politics. It outlines a successful career in fighting for civil rights, women’s rights, educational rights, economic rights, our district, people everywhere when others wouldn’t do it.

Zac
Walker

I have already established relationships with several candidates from other districts while on the campaign trail. To foster cooperation with the new Mayor and other council members, I will focus on our shared goals to create the best possible version of our city. I will prioritize transparency in my work on City Council, as it has previously helped me build strong rapport and trust with colleagues.

Andrew Breton

I was encouraged to run by other candidates across the city who value my commitment to respectful dialogue, listening, and understanding. I believe that it is not enough to be right about something, it is necessary to find agreement to achieve anything.

My previous city-wide involvement has allowed me to create relationships with many councilmembers and mayoral-candidates already. These relationships will be crucial to making progress on public safety, school quality, home prices, and good governance.

Paul Goldman

The same way when I was the only white person in Virginia willing to run Doug Wilder’s campaigns. When I helped Wilder and Warner fix the state’s budget deficits. Meet with people. Find common ground. Get it done. I’ve worked with Democrats Senator Kaine, Senator Warner, former GOP governors George Allen and Bob McDonnell on financial, education issues. I worked to fix the city charter. And also helped amend in the state constitution.