With less than seven months to go before Richmonders elect a new mayor, six candidates have launched campaigns so far.
As Election Day approaches, advertisements and campaign events are starting to pop up across the city — all of which are largely funded by campaign donations.
Here are the latest finance tallies reported to the Virginia Department of Elections for candidates along with their top donors as of Monday.
To date, Richmond nonprofit founder Harrison Roday, who launched his campaign in mid-February with a platform aimed at meeting the needs of every resident, is the frontrunner in terms of campaign donations.
Roday reports a total of $365,822 in donations with $328,335 cash in hand, the Virginia Department of Elections reports.
Many of his contributions include big name donors, including President and CEO of Henrico-based Genworth Financial Thomas McInerney, who gave $40,000, and Richmond business leader Jim Ukrop, with $25,000.
Michelle Mosby
Former Richmond City Council member Michelle Mosby was the first to throw her hat into ring announcing her bid for mayor in mid-January.
With a platform focusing heavily on growth and development, increasing affordable housing and building up Richmond’s schools, Mosby has received numerous endorsements from local leaders and organizations, including former Mayor Dwight Jones, the Richmond NAACP and City Council members Cynthia Newbille and Ellen Robertson.
In total, Mosby has raised $160,815 in campaign finances with $67,305 cash in hand.
Many of Mosby’s donations are from community members with her highest donation, $18,250, coming from James Minor, president of the Richmond NAACP.
Garrett Sawyer
Richmond businessman Garrett Sawyer, who launched his campaign in mid-January under the slogan ‘Reimagine Richmond,’ trails behind Mosby in campaign donations.
Sawyer has received $113,292 in campaign donations with $55,811 cash in hand.
Sawyer’s campaign is largely self-funded with his largest donation, $46,250, coming from his own pocket. Other donors include Green Consulting and Housing RVA.
Danny Avula
Longtime public health leader Danny Avula is the latest candidate to enter the race following his resignation as the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services in order to run for office.
Avula led the statewide COVID-19 vaccination effort under Gov. Ralph Northam and later was appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the commissioner position.
Following the April 10 announcement that he was running for mayor, Avula reported raising $100,000 in donations. However, because of the timing of his campaign launch, he is not required to report his campaign donations until the next deadline in M ay.
Andreas Addison
Andreas Addison, current 1st District representative on City Council, entered the race in mid-February on a platform that touts good governance and more reliable services.
Since then, he has raised $62,260 in total with $48,912 cash in hand. Contributors include the Richmond Association of Realtors, the Black Business Alliance and former Virginia candidate Susanna Gibson.
Maurice Neblett
Community activist Maurice Neblett, who announced his campaign in January, has reported the lowest tally of campaign donations.
As of April 15, Neblett reported a total of $125 with $119 cash in hand with the bulk of his dollars coming from his own funding.