Latest news with #MarlowJones
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Petersburg councilor shifts independent lieutenant governor bid to write-in campaign
His name will not be pre-printed on the November ballot under "Lieutenant Governor," but Petersburg Councilor Marlow Jones is hoping voters will print his name on the Nov. 4 ballot under "Write-In" with their pens. Jones, known for his outspokenness and candor while representing Petersburg's Ward 1 the past two years, announced June 20 he is launching a write-in campaign for Virginia's No. 2 elected post. Earlier in the year, Jones began circulating petitions to be on the ballot as an independent candidate, but he failed to meet the minimum requirements for his name to appear. So, Jones is going to Plan B with the write-in campaign. 'This race should be about the people—our youth, our seniors, and working families who are too often ignored by the political elite,' Jones said in a statement released by his campaign. 'I'm not here for backroom deals or partyloyalty. I'm here to fight for the voiceless.' Jones, a former Petersburg Fire official, told The Progress-Index last March that he toyed with the idea of seeking the Republican lieutenant governor nod but changed his mind. Virginia's lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and votes to break ties when senators deadlock on an issue. In most cases, that person votes with their party, but Jones said he was not keen on that prospect. 'I believe that if I am the deciding vote in the Senate, I should be nonpartisan,' Jones said then. On the ballot for lieutenant governor are Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, a Chesterfield County state senator, and Republican John Reid, a former Richmond newscaster and radio talk-show host. More: Democrats select nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general in down-to-wire races In the announcement, Jones acknowledged the tough road ahead of him. No candidates without party backing or who run write-in campaigns have been successful in winning major political office in Virginia. That is why he is announcing his candidacy five months before the November election −to garner grassroots support. Jones also said he had been told that his candidacy might make Hashmi or Reid uncomfortable, and he is fine with that. 'If you're tired of politics as usual, and ready to see someone hold statewide candidates accountable, then I'm your choice,' Jones stated in the announcement. 'This is a voter-conscious campaign, and every nickel and dime helps us carry this message across the commonwealth.' More: Dougherty wins Democratic nod in House race; Flowers cruises in Petersburg local primary Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor Jones launches write-in bid for lieutenant governor
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Petersburg councilor on independent bid for lieutenant governor: 'Best way forward'
PETERSBURG – Ward 1 Councilor Marlow Jones has his eye on Virginia's No. 2 political job. On Wednesday, Jones announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor, joining an already crowded field on both sides of the aisle. A Republican, Jones told The Progress-Index he will run as an independent. 'I believe that if I am the deciding vote in the Senate, I should be nonpartisan,' Jones said, referring to the position's chief duties as presiding over the state Senate. In addition to presiding, the lieutenant governor has the ability to cast tie-breaking votes. 'I view this as the best way forward for the state,' Jones said. It is his first bid for statewide office. The announcement came as no surprise. Back in January, Jones posted on his Facebook page that he was exploring a run. More: Former Chesterfield Sen. Amanda Chase explores second bid for Virginia's governorship Jones' platform is his background as a business owner, civil service and community advocacy. He said in his announcement that he will 'bring transformative leadership to the commonwealth' with a focus on several areas – economic empowerment, educational advancement, healthcare access, environmental sustainability, community involvement, racial equity, homelessness and government transparency. Two groups for whom Jones regularly advocates are Petersburg's youth and senior citizens. 'Virginia needs leadership that truly represents the people,' Jones said in the announcement. 'I've spent my life serving this community – from my time as a firefighter to my role on the Petersburg City Council. I understand the struggles our families face every day, and I'm ready to fight for solutions that lift everyone up.' Jones has served on City Council for two years and is known for his tendency to engage Petersburg leadership – sometimes forcefully – during council meetings. He ran unsuccessfully for the Ward 2 seat, the last time coming up just a handful of votes short of getting elected. In 2024, after being redistricted into Ward 1, he ran for and won the seat vacated by the retiring Treska Wilson-Smith. More: 'Bold' to 'slash and burn': Virginia's congressional delegation reacts to Trump speech Jones is currently the only announced independent candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor, but he is far from the only person who wants the job. Five Democrats and three Republicans have offered themselves up for the respective June 17 primaries. On the Democratic side, there is former Richmond mayor Levar Stoney; state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi of Richmond and Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach; northern Virginia attorney Alex Bastani; Prince William County School Board member Babur Lateef; and former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado of Arlington County. Republicans seeking the nomination are defense consultant John Curran Jr. of James City County; Pat Herrity, a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; and John Reid, a radio talk-show host on WRVA in Richmond. More: Mindset, not legal malice: Judge drops embezzlement charge against Hopewell city treasurer Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor Marlow Jones wants to be lieutenant governor
