For some Richmond-area voters, it’s already election season again.

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi’s victory in the statewide race for lieutenant governor will create a vacancy in the Senate, and two Democratic delegates have announced campaigns to try to win a promotion to the General Assembly’s upper chamber.

Mike Jones

 

Del. Michael Jones, a pastor and former member of the Richmond City Council, announced Nov. 6 that he will run for the 15th Senate District being vacated by Hashmi. He will be facing off against Del. Debra Gardner, a former social worker who also previously worked at Richmond City Hall, after she announced her own bid for the seat.

Jones, a former Council president, stepped away from the local governing body in late 2023 after winning a seat in the state legislature. His 77th District is split between the city and Chesterfield County.

“I am eager to continue to provide strong, progressive, compassionate, energetic leadership to Chesterfield County and Richmond in the state Senate,” Jones said in his announcement. “Election night, Virginians spoke overwhelmingly that they are tired and frustrated with President Trump and Republican policies.” 

Debra Gardner

 

In addition to several administrative roles in state government related to criminal justice, Gardner worked at City Hall under former Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones in a deputy role dealing with human services. She joined the House in 2024,  representing the 76th District based entirely in Chesterfield.  

“As your next state senator, I’ll keep fighting for everyone to have the opportunity for a better future,” Gardner said in her announcement. “I’m excited to work with Gov.-elect [Abigail] Spanberger to move Virginia forward and protect our narrow Senate majority.” 

Gardner said she had the backing of Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, the Senate’s president pro tempore and one of the body’s most senior and influential Democrats. 

In a brief interview, Gardner said most of the Senate district is in Chesterfield and that a substantial portion overlaps with her current district. 

“I have worked and led out here in this area, and I have deep roots in the community,” she said. 

As a former Council leader in Richmond, Jones arguably has a higher profile in the area. But it’s unclear how his experience in city politics will translate into a Chesterfield-centric contest with Gardner. 

When asked about the matchup, Jones said his church, Village of Faith Ministries, is in Chesterfield. 

“It will be a privilege to serve,” Jones said, “and a privilege that only the voters will give.” 

This story originally appeared on TheRichmonder.org.