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George Banks one of eight candidates for mayor

Church Hill man George Banks, Michael Gilbert, and Pauron Wheeler join the previously announced Levar Stoney, Kim Gray, Justin Griffin, Tracey McLean, and Alexsis Rodgers to bring the total number of mayoral candidates up to eight.

From C.Suarez Rojas at the RTD:

A 33-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department is among three new candidates who filed to run for mayor by a deadline this week. George Banks, a Richmond native, said he has long considered entering politics after he retires, but felt compelled to run now amid the ongoing protests against racial injustice and police violence, despite having shot a man while on duty earlier in his career.

In an interview Friday, Banks, who is Black, said he will campaign to improve local public schools, build trust between law enforcement and the public, and create more cohesion between the City Council and the mayor’s office.

“I think people are not understanding,” said Banks, a 59-year-old Church Hill resident, of the recent unrest. “Richmond has grown a whole lot. I think our people are not getting the true message of what Richmond is about.”

FWIW, VPAP says that Gilbert has failed to qualify for the ballot.

Anybody have a link for Pauron Wheeler?

See also: A description of the process for electing a mayor (2/16/2016)

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