Democrats to pick nominee Saturday for Jones’ House seat

Democrats in parts of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties will hold a primary from 1-4 p.m. Saturday to pick their nominee for the 70th District House of Delegates seat.

The contenders are seeking to succeed Del. Dwight Clinton Jones, who has been elected Richmond's mayor.

Candidates for the seat must file a declaration with the party by Thursday. Two people have expressed intent to run thus far -- Richmond City Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn and Henrico lawyer Carlos Brown.

Residents of the 70th will vote in a firehouse primary at two locations, according to Eric Payne, with the Richmond City Democratic Committee.

Richmond and Chesterfield voters will vote at 31st Street Baptist Church, 823 N. 31st St. and Henrico voters at the Math & Science Innovation Center, 2401 Hartman St.

A special election will be held on Jan. 6 to fill the vacancy, which gives the Democratic Party until Dec. 8 to declare their nominee.

Jones will vacate the seat at the end of the year because he starts as Richmond mayor on Jan. 1.

-- Olympia Meola