Three candidates—Democrats Brian Pinkston and Juandiego Wade, and independent Yas Washington—are running for two open seats on Charlottesville’s City Council. Current mayor Nikuyah Walker initially announced a run for reelection, but dropped out in September.
Wade is a transportation planner and career counselor by trade who has served on the Charlottesville City School Board for 16 years. He’s been a valued voice in town for a long time, and serves or has served on the boards of United Way, ReadyKids, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, Cultivate Charlottesville, and Child Health Partnership.
Wade says his top priorities are criminal justice reform and helping to create more affordable housing in the region. He wants to explore creating non-police emergency lines that city residents can all for aid. From an environmental standpoint, his top priority is increasing tree cover in low-income communities. Wade also says he’ll focus on economic recovery after COVID, and hopes to work closely with the local business community.
Washington, just 24 years old, is trying to bring a youthful perspective to City Hall. She’s worked for Albemarle Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley and Democratic congressional candidate Cameron Webb, and has been a youth counselor for the city.
Washington hopes to work hand in hand with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to help ameliorate the local housing shortage. Her public safety plan includes tightening gun laws wherever council has the authority to do so, requiring police officers to undergo deescalation training, and work with the Offender Aid & Restoration office to reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals.
Pinkston is a UVA project manager who also has a Ph.D. in philosophy. He’s currently the vice-chair of the Charlottesville Democratic Party. Pinkston narrowly missed out on a City Council seat in the 2019 election, and is back for another try.
Pinkston’s top goals include restoring “a level of collegiality” to City Council’s operations. Like Wade, he emphasizes economic recovery. He’d like to see a stronger Police Civilian Review Board that takes advantage of the new powers outlined by the general assembly, and supports diverting some police responsibilities to Region Ten. He told C-VILLE this summer that the key to criminal justice reform is “to listen to the people actually affected, and not just do progressive wish-fulfillment.”
The two victorious candidates will serve four-year terms on council.
Other local elections
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has three of its six seats open, and three candidates are running unopposed in their respective districts. Incumbents Ned Gallaway and Diantha McKeel will each return for another term, and physicist and lawyer Jim Andrews will join the board. The Albemarle County School Board also has three incumbents running for reelection, each unopposed.
In Charlottesville, unopposed Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania will secure a second four-year term after a stiff challenge in the summer’s Democratic primary. The city’s treasurer, commissioner of revenue, and sheriff are also running unopposed for reelection.
Five candidates are competing for three seats on the Charlottesville School Board. The candidates will meet at a forum on Thursday, October 14. Check back here next week for our coverage of the school board race.