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| Mayor Levar Stoney | |
|---|---|
| Name | Levar Stoney |
| Birth date | November 12, 1981 |
| Birth place | Richmond, Virginia |
| Office | Mayor of Richmond, Virginia |
| Term start | December 31, 2016 |
| Predecessor | Dwight C. Jones |
| Alma mater | Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia |
| Party | Democratic Party |
Mayor Levar Stoney is an American politician who has served as the chief executive of Richmond, Virginia since December 2016. A native of Petersburg, Virginia and an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia, he rose through state and municipal politics with roles in the Virginia House of Delegates sphere, the Commonwealth of Virginia executive offices, and national political campaigns. His tenure as mayor has intersected with debates involving Confederate monuments, urban development projects like Amazon-related site proposals, and fiscal management tied to state-level legislation such as the Virginia General Assembly budget actions.
Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Stoney attended Thomas Jefferson High School before studying at Virginia Commonwealth University and later attending programs at the University of Virginia. During his formative years he was exposed to local civic organizations including United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg and community institutions such as John Marshall High School (Richmond, Virginia), which informed engagements with figures like Douglas Wilder and networks tied to Virginia politics. His education connected him to statewide institutions including Virginia State University alumni events and policy forums involving Civic Leadership Institute (Richmond) partners.
Stoney served in roles within the Office of the Governor of Virginia and worked with state legislators from districts represented in the Virginia General Assembly, collaborating with members of the Democratic Party delegation and staff from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. He participated in strategy and operations alongside staff linked to leaders such as Terry McAuliffe during the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election cycle and engaged with national organizations including the Democratic National Committee and campaign teams for figures like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. His early career also brought him into contact with municipal officials from Norfolk, Virginia, Arlington County, and Henrico County, Virginia on interjurisdictional initiatives.
In the 2016–2017 electoral cycle, Stoney ran for mayor of Richmond, Virginia in a campaign that emphasized urban revitalization, partnerships with institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University and Johns Hopkins University, and responses to heritage debates involving the Confederate States of America commemorations in Richmond. His campaign contended with opponents including Levar Stoney (opponent names withheld by instruction), community leaders from Richmond City Council districts, and endorsements from officials like Mark Herring and organizations such as the NAACP Richmond Branch and unions associated with the Service Employees International Union. The campaign navigated topics tied to economic development projects involving stakeholders such as CBRE Group, Amazon site proponents, and regional planning agencies including the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
As mayor, Stoney's administration engaged with initiatives across municipal departments including Richmond Public Schools, the Richmond Police Department, and city planning divisions that coordinate with entities like the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. His term overlapped with major national events such as the George Floyd protests and local incidents involving the Unite the Right rally aftermath and responses to debates over the Richmond, Virginia Confederate monuments. He worked with state executives including Ralph Northam and Glenn Youngkin on funding and legal issues and coordinated with federal agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice on grants and reform efforts.
Stoney advanced policies addressing housing, workforce development, infrastructure, and public safety, partnering with institutions like Richmond Public Library, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, and nonprofit groups such as Virginia Organizing and Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. He promoted economic development projects involving private-sector partners like Wells Fargo, Dominion Energy, CarMax, and real estate firms such as Cushman & Wakefield while engaging regional bodies including the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission and transit agencies like GRTC Transit System. His administration sought funding through mechanisms including Tax Increment Financing measures discussed with the Virginia General Assembly and pursued grants from foundations such as the Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Stoney faced criticism related to decisions on monument removals tied to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rulings and state-level actions by the Virginia General Assembly and Governor of Virginia offices. He drew scrutiny over fiscal negotiations with developers and incentives debated in hearings involving the Richmond City Council and watchdog organizations like Common Cause and the American Civil Liberties Union. Law enforcement policies prompted debate with stakeholders including the Richmond Police Benevolent Association and civil rights leaders from Urban League of Greater Richmond. Campaign ethics and staffing decisions were examined by local press such as the Richmond Times-Dispatch and statewide outlets like the Richmond Free Press and the Virginia Mercury.
Stoney's electoral record includes the successful 2017 mayoral campaign in Richmond and subsequent reelection efforts contested in municipal cycles involving candidates supported by organizations like the Virginia Democratic Party and advocacy groups such as ProgressVA. His campaigns attracted endorsements from political figures including Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and local leaders from institutions like Virginia Commonwealth University and unions affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Election oversight involved the Virginia Department of Elections and local administration by the Richmond Electoral Board.
Category:Mayors of Richmond, Virginia Category:Living people Category:1981 births