2 arrested in death of Markiya Dickson A2
Richmond Free Press
VOL. 28 NO. 45
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‘Thomas Jefferson’ revealed in ‘Hamilton’ B3
NOVEMBER 7-9, 2019
Dems win control For the first time in 24 years, Democrats will hold the majority in the state Senate and House of Delegates By Jeremy M. Lazarus
For the first time in 24 years, Virginia voters handed Democrats control of both houses of the General Assembly in Tuesday’s election. With Democrat Ralph S. Northam holding the governorship, the party now holds all the levers of power. That appears to virtually ensure passage in the 2020 General Assembly session of a raise in the state’s minimum wage — potentially to $15 an hour; approval of the Equal Rights
Related stories on A8, A9 Amendment for women; and agreement on other long-blocked Democratic priorities, such as restrictions on gun sales and potential bans on guns from public places. While many races were close, unofficial results show voters enabled Democrats to flip two Republican seats in the state Senate — including one in the Richmond area —to ensure a 21-19 Democratic majority in the upper chamber next year. Additionally, Democrats won six Republican seats to ensure a 55-45 Democratic majority in the House of Delegates. Please turn to A4
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Ghazala F. Hashmi, left, receives cheers and applause from supporters as she takes the stage to address the crowd at the Democrats’ victory party Tuesday night after her upset win in the Richmond area’s 10th Senate District. She is the first Muslim elected to the state Senate. Above, hundreds of people break into jubilant cheers Tuesday night with the announcement that Democrats will control the General Assembly in January. The celebrants were at the Democratic Party’s victory event held at a Downtown hotel.
Stephanie A. Lynch wins 5th District City Council race and has floated the idea of a citizen advisory group that would offer their thoughts on future development plans in the city. Stephanie A. Lynch is the new 5th District Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who backs the plan representative on Richmond City Council. proposed and led by Dominion Energy CEO The 32-year-old Woodland Heights resident Thomas F. Farrell II, seemed undaunted. He beat six other candidates in Tuesday night’s told the Free Press on Tuesday night that Ms. special election to win the seat to be vacated on Lynch’s history in social work shows a desire Nov. 30 by Councilman Parker C. Agelasto. to do the best for children and families, and that It is the first time a woman and South Side he believes she will come to see the benefits of resident has represented the 5th District on the the Navy Hill deal. council, a sign of change for Richmond politics “There’s elections, and there’s politics,” in more ways than one. Mayor Stoney said. Ms. Lynch’s election may signal a major With just more than 7,100 votes cast in the blockade of the $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement special election, Ms. Lynch brought in about and Downtown redevelopment deal proposed by 27.56 percent of the vote, topping her nearest Navy Hill Development Corp. The controversial competitors, Mamie L. Taylor and Thaddeus M. proposal requires the approval of seven city “Thad” Williamson, who each received around council members to move forward. 15 percent of the vote. Ms. Lynch, along with most of the other Speaking to the Free Press on Tuesday night candidates vying for the 5th District seat, after her victory, Ms. Lynch said she takes the voiced strong opposition to the plan during responsibility ahead of her “extremely seriously” the campaign. and described herself as the employee of the 20,000 She cited a lack of credible numbers, little residents that make up the 5th District. benefit for the city and little support among “I’m working for them,” Ms. Lynch said. 5th District residents as the reasons for her opRegina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press “And I’m working for those who did not vote position. She pointed to her resolute rejection Stephanie A. Lynch celebrates her victory in the Richmond City Council 5th District for me, who may not be able to vote, who may of the Navy Hill plan as a key part of her win, contest with supporters Tuesday night at a Downtown restaurant. not have a seat at the table.” Ms. Lynch will serve the remainder of Mr. Agelasto’s term, which ends in December 2020. She already has said she intends to run then for a full, four-year term. She said once in office, at a Henrico County hotel. said had never applied before. she will complete the “progBy Jeremy M. Lazarus Mr. Barnette fended off challenges Also disqualified was a reform- ress left to be made” for city Robert N. Barnette Jr., who has led from Pastor Michelle Thomas, presi- minded candidate, Phillip Thompson, services, including its public the Virginia State Conference NAACP dent of the Loudoun County Branch past president of the Loudoun County schools, public transportation, since August when the previous presi- NAACP, who won 33 percent of the Branch NAACP and a state Executive infrastructure and more. Ms. dent was removed, will hold the top vote, and Carmen Taylor of Hampton, Committee member, who was unop- Lynch has called for more state post in the civil rights organization posed for state vice president, the No. funding for Richmond Public for the next two years after emerging 2 leadership post. Schools, alongside greater Related story on A6 victorious in a controversial election. “They made up the rules to get the transparency and cooperation Mr. Barnette, 67, a retired safety engi- a past state NAACP president, who got results they wanted,” said Mr. Thompson, from Richmond city governneer and president of the Hanover County 24 percent. who did not attend the conference but had ment, and has put her support Branch NAACP for seven years, was Two other candidates for president agreed to allow Ms. Thomas to nominate behind green development and installed Sunday as state NAACP president were disqualified at the last minute — him, a practice previously allowed. gun reform. after winning a three-way race. along with 48 convention delegates In a statement, the state conference The 5th District contest manHe received 43 percent of the votes who sought to cast ballots — under ignored the controversy. Instead, the aged to produce controversy on that 119 qualified delegates cast at the rules that had not been announced in Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press Please turn to A4 Please turn to A4 84th state convention held last weekend advance and that conference veterans Mr. Barnette By George Copeland Jr.
Contentious state NAACP election gives Barnette 2-year term
Company believes it can attract more than 600,000 patrons to new Coliseum company, has backed up that bet by inking a deal that would put Spectra on the hook for making money from a new Coliseum and generating attendance of more than 600,000 people a year to events. The deal would put the company, and not the city, on the hook to cover any deficits, Mr. Page said. He also noted the company has agreed to put up $8 million for seats, concession equipment and
By Jeremy M. Lazarus
John Page’s company, Spectra, is betting its management can turn Richmond’s proposed 17,500-seat Coliseum into one of the busiest and most successful entertainment centers in the world, if Richmond City Council approves allocating more than $300 million in taxpayer dollars over 30 years to build it. Mr. Page, who is president of the venue management, entertainment, food services and hospitality
Mr. Page
Please turn to A4
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Richmond Coliseum