Richmond's Next Mayor: The First Debate, June 19

A debate scheduled for June 19 might be your only opportunity to hear from candidates for Richmond mayoral election before they have a chance to polish their positions.

While only four people have formally filed papers for the November election (the deadline is Tuesday), there may be as many as nine declared candidates. Local lawyer Robert Grey, former City Council member Jackie Jackson, Richmond Delegate Dwight Jones and City Council member Bill Pantele have filed papers with the city registrar; Jackson has said she's withdrawing from the race. Others who have declared their intent to run include businessman Rodney Barnes, local celebrity Donnie "Dirtwoman" Corker, Paul Goldman (former aide and strategist for Doug Wilder), former City Council member L. Shirley Harvey and architect Lawrence Williams.

Those who file by the June 10 deadline are expected to be invited to a Town Hall "listening forum" organized by the Coalition for a Greater Richmond at Plant Zero on Thursday, June 19, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. The forum is being touted as a space where "concerned citizens speak and Richmond mayoral candidates listen," but I expect that former TV anchor Lisa LaFata will find ways to bring the candidates into the conversation.