Priorities for Richmond

ON THE ISSUES

Danny believes in Richmond and will work tirelessly to help us reach the healthy, thriving future all Richmonders deserve. We need to support, empower, and respect our longtime residents, our historic neighborhoods, our small businesses, and we need to make sure all voices are heard.

Thriving neighborhoods and affordable housing

Danny will work to increase the supply of affordable housing, promote public safety, expand public transportation, and invest in climate resiliency in all our neighborhoods. These are complex challenges, but as a 20-year resident of Richmond, Danny understands that affordable, safe, and resilient neighborhoods are crucial for a thriving life. As Mayor, he will:

Fight displacement of long-term residents and expand the supply of deeply affordable housing for low-income and working residents
Dedicate significant and ongoing resources to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, and lead the region to create more housing options — especially long-term affordable units, for every income level
Break the cycle of evictions that keeps many families locked in poverty by strengthening protections and resources available for our most vulnerable residents
Commit to sustainable growth that addresses the financial, social, accessibility, and emotional needs of our populations with strong public amenities, like parks, public transit, and safe streets. Prioritize infill development, redeveloping aging commercial areas, and preserving and expanding green spaces—not only for recreation and relaxation but for community resilience.

Strengthen the relationship between neighborhoods and the Richmond Police Department to ensure public safety meets community needs and builds trust
Invest in comprehensive gun violence prevention to make our streets safer while addressing the root causes of violent crime
Expand access to equitable transportation options that improve public health and environmental outcomes. This includes building safe biking and walking infrastructure, investing in GRTC to expand service, increase bus frequency and reliability, and making sure every bus stop has adequate and humane conditions.

Supporting kids and families—in and out of school

Danny will prioritize funding Richmond Public Schools and wraparound services for kids and families because every child in Richmond deserves the opportunity to succeed. As a parent of five current and former RPS students, the husband of a longtime Chimborazo Elementary teacher, a public health professional, and an engaged community member for over 20 years, he has seen Richmond Public Schools up close. He is committed to doing everything he can as Mayor to ensure our kids have what they need to thrive. As Mayor, he will:

Prioritize RPS in the city’s budget
Ensure every school has modern infrastructure, top-notch technology, and excellent principals, teachers, and support staff, so every child can succeed
Support funding for child care, universal pre-K, and wraparound services for families
Expand and improve out-of-school time and career development opportunities for RPS students
Maintain continuous, professional, and transparent communication with the Superintendent and the School Board to address shared concerns and meet our kids’ needs
Advocate for our kids and families at the General Assembly

An effective and accountable City Hall

Danny will transform City Hall into an effective, responsive and accountable organization that residents can trust. From leading the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for 12 years, to answering Governor Northam’s call to oversee Virginia’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort, to serving as Commissioner of one of the largest agencies in state government, Danny has the executive experience to make City Hall work better for Richmonders. As Mayor, he will:

Put residents first by listening to the community—on issues large and small
Ensure residents’ day-to-day interactions with city government are easy, efficient, and friendly
Assess leadership in every city department, starting with a national search process for the CAO role, to ensure city government is progressive, responsive, and truly delivers for residents
Act strategically to transform the culture of City Hall, to create a reliable, responsive and accountable government residents can trust

Champion updates to the systems—like finance, HR, and IT—that make the basics of government work more efficiently
Build a strong city workforce of capable and committed professionals dedicated to public service in partnership with the city’s collective bargaining units

Reproductive freedom

Danny is deeply committed to health equity, and he has a track record of expanding access to needed medical services to improve the lives of Richmonders. Ensuring access to abortion and comprehensive reproductive healthcare is critical to protect people’s freedom, and to address health disparities that persist in our city. The disproportionate impact that abortion restrictions have on low-income and Black and Brown communities is both a public health issue and an equity and justice issue. Danny knows what it takes to expand access to care and has a track record of bringing our health systems and healthcare providers together to better serve Richmond families. As Mayor, Danny will:

Preserve and protect Richmonders’ reproductive freedom—including access to abortion and contraception
Continue the city’s support of our safety net providers, including Planned Parenthood
Ensure secure access to reproductive and abortion care facilities, both for residents and for women traveling to Richmond for needed service

Strengthen support for community health organizations meeting the maternal and child health needs of all families across Richmond
Work to address the health disparities facing Black and Brown moms and babies

Inclusive city

Danny believes in a Richmond that is welcoming to all families and all people, regardless of race, income, religion, gender identity, sexuality, language spoken, or country of origin. As Mayor, he will:

Push back against any state or federal attempts to reduce protections and rights for LGBTQ+ people, immigrant families, and any other targeted groups in our city
Challenge Richmond’s remaining legacies of bigotry and segregation by championing inclusivity and equity in economic development, housing, education, and public works projects

Invest in translation and interpretive services to make City Hall meetings and documents more accessible to non-English speakers and other persons with accessibility needs
Champion, enact, and enforce inclusive human resources policies within City Hall so that all employees are welcomed, respected, and can fully bring their talents to the city’s programs

Urban environments

As a public health leader, Danny is committed to addressing the climate crisis and building a healthy and thriving city for all. He will work in partnership with City Council, community groups, and organizations to protect our neighborhoods and make Richmond a cleaner and greener city. As Mayor, he will:

Fully fund and empower the city’s Office of Sustainability to realize the goals defined in the RVAgreen 2050 plan.
Proactively preserve natural, agricultural, and historic resources like the James River Park System, African American cemeteries, and accessible greenspaces to achieve Richmond 300’s goal of every Richmonder living within a 10-minute walk of greenspace by 2037.
Evaluate, upgrade, retrofit, or replace aging city infrastructure that poses risks to our river and neighborhoods.
Mitigate the worst impacts of waste by diverting it from local landfills and implementing programs to reduce the amount of harmful waste we create.

Support RVAgreen 2050’s tree canopy goals by building on the framework laid out in City Council’s 2021 Climate Emergency resolution. Re-establish and empower the Urban Forestry Commission, invest in the Urban Forestry Master Plan, and support our Urban Forestry Department to continue to expand our urban tree canopy—particularly in formerly red-lined neighborhoods and heat islands.
Support and partner with high-impact environmental organizations at the local, state, and federal levels that are leading the work, lighting the way, and providing programs that power progress.