Today, Danny Avula for mayor announced the endorsement of former Richmond mayor and State Senator, civil rights hero, Henry L, Marsh, III.
Senator Marsh explained his endorsement, “I know what this city is capable of with the right leadership and Danny has shown time and again that he brings our Democratic values to life, leaving no one behind. Danny and I share many of the same principles and priorities – we both have spent our careers lifting up vulnerable communities, and we both have fought for civil rights and to uproot the vestiges of systemic racism. I know as mayor Danny will continue that work – he will lead the next chapter striving for racial equity for our beloved Richmond.”
Dr Avula said, “I am so honored to have the endorsement of Senator Henry Marsh who has played such an incredibly critical role in the modern history of both Richmond and our entire Commonwealth. Thanks to Senator Marsh’s unwavering commitment to civil rights, our community is stronger and fairer.
I will strive every day to follow in his footsteps and continue that work for racial equity, for lifting the downtrodden and for making a better Richmond for ALL.”
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Background on former Mayor and State Senator Henry L. Marsh
As a Richmond attorney at Hill Tucker and Marsh, Senator Marsh was involved in groundbreaking civil right work including the first legal case involving racial discrimination in employment, and more than fifty school desegregation cases.
As Richmond’s first Black mayor, working with a City Council coalition, he pushed through a human rights ordinance, worked on revitalization of the city, and oversaw appointments of Black Richmonders to boards and commissions.
In 1991, Senator Marsh was elected to the Virginia State Senate, serving for over twenty years, including as chair of the prestigious Courts of Justice committee. After leaving the Senate, Governor McAuliffe appointed him as a Commissioner of the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
Senator Marsh also co-founded the Richmond Renaissance and the Metropolitan Economic Development Council. He served as president of the National Black Caucus of Elected Officials and a member of the board of directors of the National League of Cities.
