Newbille leads in 7th District seat on Richmond council

Cynthia I. Newbille appeared poised to win today's special election for the 7th District seat on Richmond City Council.

With five of seven precincts reporting, Newbille, a one-time city administration official who was endorsed by Mayor Dwight C. Jones, had 1,162 votes to lead five other candidates vying to represent the city's East End, according to unofficial totals.

The other candidates trailed as follows:

• Robin D. Robinson, 555

• Ronald L. Bond, 218

• Deanna Lewis, 192

• Garry F. Powell, 123

• Clarence Kenney, 114

The winner will take office immediately and finish the four-year term that then-Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn won last November. McQuinn gave up the 7th District seat early this year after winning a special election to represent the 70th District in the House of Delegates. Jones vacated the House seat after he was elected mayor.

In the low-profile race, Newbille attracted the most attention and criticism from other candidates, in part because she was supported by McQuinn and state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, a former mayor and a former 7th District councilman.

Newbille had been a leading candidate for appointment to the council seat early this year until she withdrew amid controversy over having moved into the district to meet requirements for the position.

She acknowledged renting a home on 27th Street but also touted her deep connections to the district, including being raised there, managing the city's East District Initiative and now serving as acting director of the nonprofit East District Family Resource Center. She also served as chief of staff to then-City Manager Calvin D. Jamison, before Richmond switched to an elected-mayor form of government.

In other city races, Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring, Sheriff C.T. Woody and Treasurer Eunice N. Wilder were running uncontested.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or .

Newbille beat five other candidates in an open contest to represent the city's East End. She is acting director of the East District Family Resource Center. She previously served as chief of staff to then-City Manager Calvin D. Jamison and managed the city's East District Initiative.

Newbille takes office immediately and will finish the four-year term that Delores L. McQuinn won last year. McQuinn surrendered the council seat early this year after winning a special election to represent the 70th District in the House of Delegates. Dwight C. Jones vacated the House seat after he was elected mayor last November.

-- Will Jones