Richmond's democratic socialists are gaining political power
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A Halloween Highland Park canvas with McDonnough, councilmember Kenya Gibson, Del. Charlie Schmidt and more. Photo: Courtesy of McDonnough campaign manager Sarandon Elliott
Richmond's democratic socialists are turning years of community organizing into election wins and political power.
Why it matters: Candidates backed by the Richmond Democratic Socialists of America and its allies are defeating establishment-backed opponents, tapping into voter frustration with City Hall and gearing up to challenge more incumbents.
Driving the news: Their latest victory came last week, when DSA-backed Jackie McDonnough defeated former Virginia Education Secretary Anne Holton for Richmond's 6th District School Board seat, despite being outraised more than 3-to-1.
- Holton raised roughly $110,000 to McDonnough's $32,500 and had endorsements from Gov. Spanberger, Mayor Avula, former Mayor Stoney and former 6th District School Board member Shonda Harris-Muhammed.
- McDonnough, a longtime educator, tells Axios she applied for the vacant School Board seat but was passed over in favor of Holton. Organizers with Richmond DSA and Richmond For All later encouraged her to run.
Holton didn't respond to Axios' request for comment.
How it happened: McDonnough's campaign says more than 150 volunteers knocked on 11,000 doors and made 6,000 calls.
- She tells Axios DSA members supplied most of her canvassers, alongside Richmond For All, the Crusade for Voters and educators' groups.
- Richmond DSA co-chair Elisabeth Waldron says volunteers were the chapter's greatest contribution, though it donated more than $1,000 to McDonnough's campaign.
- McDonnough joined DSA in July, saying its priorities align with causes she's championed for decades — a decision she says cost her endorsements from longtime political allies.
The big picture: McDonnough's win follows earlier victories by DSA-backed City Council member Kenya Gibson and Del. Charlie Schmidt.
- McDonnough says New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani inspired her, while Schmidt's victory convinced her a similar campaign could succeed locally.
- "That was the first inkling I had that this was actually possible in Richmond," she tells Axios.
The shift: Schmidt, a self-described socialist who isn't a DSA member, says years of organizing against projects like Navy Hill and the casino helped build a network increasingly turned toward recruiting candidates.
- "We can't just always try to stop bad projects and bad ideas," he says.
How it works: Richmond DSA is working to elect allies while continuing to organize around issues like affordable housing, health care, living wages, stronger public schools and banning Flock surveillance.
- Waldron calls it an "inside-outside strategy."
- The chapter, founded in 2017, has grown from roughly 400 members to the high 700s in the last two years, Waldron says.
The intrigue: The victories may reflect frustration with Richmond's political establishment as much as support for democratic socialism.
- Randolph-Macon political science professor Rich Meagher says Richmond DSA is emphasizing the "democratic part versus the socialist part," appealing to residents who feel unheard by political leaders.
- Meagher and VCU political scientist Alexandria Davis say McDonnough's deep community ties, education experience and identity as a Black woman in a majority Black district helped her connect with longtime residents and younger progressive organizers.
- McDonnough says voters told her they felt shut out of school decisions, raising concerns about school meals, writing instruction and special education resources.
- "Some people, I don't even think it's about the label. It's just about the beliefs," Waldron tells Axios.
What's next: Richmond DSA is eyeing more races in 2027 and 2028, including potential challenges to incumbents.
- Waldron declined to name specific targets, but every House of Delegates seat is up in 2027, followed by Richmond's mayor, City Council and School Board in 2028.