Another competitor is set to enter the race for one of three Charlottesville City Council seats. Local activist and musician Brandon Collins announced his intention to run as an Independent with "the endorsement of the Socialist Part of Central Virginia," of which he is the secretary. Collins, a member of the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice board, has yet to officially file candidacy forms.
Collins intends to run a “more radical approach” to local government, according to a press release. His platform includes pursuing a living wage for all workers in Charlottesville, doubling funding for affordable housing, creating a city jobs center, and expanding services for mental health and substance abuse programs. According to the release, Collins also supports dredging the Ragged Mountain Reservoir and halting Meadow Creek Parkway construction.
Collins joins the campaign alongside current Councilor Satyendra Huja, Independents Bob Fenwick and Scott Bandy and Democrat James Halfaday. Current Councilors David Brown and Holly Edwards declined to run for re-election.