At early voting event, Kaine and McClellan decline to weigh in on Richmond mayoral race

Two of Richmond’s top Democrats are encouraging voters to cast ballots early and support the party’s nominees up and down the ticket. But they’re not giving any cues about which particular Democrat they think Richmond should elect as its next mayor.

“I voted for the winner,” U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said with a smile Monday when asked who he voted for in the five-person mayoral race. He said only that the field is made up of “very good candidates.”

Kaine and his wife, lawyer and education leader Anne Holton, cast their ballots Monday morning during an early voting event held at the Richmond election office.

U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, also attended the rally. She too declined to say who she expects to support in the mayoral race and said she’s still assessing the options.

“I’m looking to see who has a vision to lead the city forward and ensure that it’s providing competent core services,” McClellan said. “I’m focused on working to get Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Tim Kaine and myself elected. And that’s keeping me pretty busy.”

It’s not uncommon for political figures to avoid getting publicly involved in closely contested elections that could lead to split allegiances within their party. Along with the lack of an endorsement by the Richmond City Democratic Committee, Kaine and McClellan staying out of the race signals no mayoral candidate is the clear favorite of the Democratic establishment.

The candidates running for Richmond mayor this year are former City Council president Michelle Mosby, former public health official Dr. Danny Avula, City Councilor Andreas Addison (1st District), software investor Harrison Roday and community organizer Maurice Neblett. 

The mayoral election is officially nonpartisan, but it has the feel of a Democratic primary as the candidates compete for the votes of a heavily Democratic Richmond electorate.

The winner will succeed outgoing Mayor Levar Stoney, who is now seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor after serving as mayor for the maximum two terms.