Mayor of Richmond, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor of the City of Richmond, Virginia |
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.jpg) Danny Avula since January 1, 2025 |
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| Style | The Honorable |
| Term length | Four years renewable once |
| Inaugural holder | William Foushee |
| Formation | 17th century |
| Salary | $125,000 |
| Website | www.ci.richmond.va.us/Mayor/index.aspx |
The Mayor of the City of Richmond, Virginia is the main leader of Richmond, Virginia's city government. The mayor's job is to manage all city services. This includes things like police and fire protection. The mayor also makes sure that city, state, and federal laws are followed in Richmond. They oversee a large city budget, which is about $765 million each year.
Contents
Who is the Current Mayor?
The current mayor of Richmond is Danny Avula. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Mayor Avula was elected on November 5, 2024. He officially started his job on January 1, 2025.
The Mayor's Team
The mayor of Richmond has a team of advisors. These people help the mayor make important decisions for the city. They work together on different city policies.
How the Mayor's Job Started
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In May 1782, leaders in Virginia wanted to move the state capital. They wanted to move it away from Williamsburg. This was because Williamsburg was too close to the coast and British attacks. Thomas Jefferson had suggested Richmond as a temporary capital earlier. Soon, it was decided that Richmond would become the permanent capital.
Just two months later, on July 2, a special document called a charter was created. This charter officially made Richmond a city. It said that twelve men would be chosen from the city. These twelve men would then pick one of themselves to be the Mayor. They would also choose a Recorder and four Aldermen. The other six men would be part of the Common Council. Most of these jobs lasted for three years. However, the mayor could only serve for one year at a time. The very next day, a vote was held. Dr. William Foushee, Sr. was chosen as Richmond's first mayor.
In March 1851, the city decided to change its original charter. They decided that all city officials should be chosen by the people through elections. After William Lambert served for 12 years, and a short time with Samuel C. Pulliam as mayor, elections were held. Joseph C. Mayo won this election.
Mayo stopped being mayor in April 1865. This happened just weeks before the American Civil War ended. It was when Union forces took control of the city.
The system set up by this second city charter worked well when Richmond was small. Most voters knew the people they were voting for. They also understood what the jobs required.
In 1948, Richmond changed its government again. The city stopped having a mayor chosen by the people. Instead, they started a council-manager system. In this system, a city council hires a professional manager to run the city. This system lasted until 2004. That year, the city charter was changed once more. This brought back the mayor's office, where the mayor is chosen by the people. Former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder was elected mayor that year. Richmond is one of the few cities in Virginia that does not use the council-manager form of government.
City Offices the Mayor Appoints
- Further information: List of Richmond, Virginia agencies
The mayor has the power to choose the leaders for many city offices and departments. One important role the mayor appoints is the:
- Chief Administrative Officer
See also
