Posts Tagged ‘Dwight Jones’
Jones won’t reveal re-election plans; promises ballpark “will happen”
Mayor Dwight Jones was the go-to man for the Obama campaign today. He came to NBC12 today to presenting the campaign’s talking points on the successful jobs report. His role in the campaign shows what the Obama campaign thinks about him and perhaps and understanding of his potential as a candidate down the road.
But while Jones is an articulate voice for not only the Obama administration, but his own policies, one thing he is not right now is a candidate. Most expect the first term Mayor to run for re-election, and while there has been talk of potential opposition, he would be considered to be tough to beat.
The only problem? He hasn’t decided if he wants to run.
“I tell you what, when I decide I am going to let you be the first to know,” he jokingly told me during a one-on-one interview. (he was joking, but I plan to hold him to that)
For Jones his explanation is pretty simple. He just hasn’t had the time to think about mounting a re-election campaign because he has been too busy, being the Mayor.
“Well I have a lot on my plate and so the State of the City was a big thing and now I have the budget to do and we were working on the jail before that,” he said. ”So really just a lot going on so I really have turned my attention to being ready to make an announcement one way or another.”
The chances that Jones does not run for re-election are pretty slim. He is still actively raising funds and has more than $80,000 in cash on hand. Some democratic advisers have privately hinted that Jones could be a potential statewide candidate. Perhaps as soon as 2013. His coy nature on the topic is most likely the product of building anticipation toward a major announcement, timed to get the maximum exposure.
Extended clips from the mayor on his re-election can be found below:
When the Mayor does decide, one of the biggest controversies he could face is the future of the popular Richmond minor league baseball club, the Flying Squirrels. The team has hinted that they were promised a new ballpark, but are frustrated with the lack of progress. They even said they won’t be afraid to leave town, if the progress doesn’t happen soon. The talk over the Squirrels future was a hot topic at the team’s recent Hot Stove banquet.
Jones simple message to baseball fans?
“It will happen.”
His full comments can be seen below:
Cantor discusses budget stalemate, hopes to avoid shutdown
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor admits he is not the point person in the negotiations over the Federal Budget. But also said is unwilling to just accept whatever is offered if it doesn’t meet his strict measure of significant budget cuts.
“We have a $1.6 trillion annual deficit this year,” Cantor said. “And we are talking about trying to cut $60 billion out of the budget to return to 2008 levels.”
I spoke to Cantor in Houston, TX on Saturday just before VCU’s loss in the NCAA Final Four. Cantor, who does not represent the institution in Congress, came to support the team, of which many students and graduates live in his district. Rep. Bobby Scott, Gov. Bob McDonnell and Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones were also in attendance.
The massive cuts that Cantor is calling for are an ocean away from the White House budget proposal. As Cantor and House Republicans continue to hold their ground, once again the threat of a government shutdown looms large. The powerful Henrico congressman stressed that a shutdown is not his goal.
“I have always said that we do not want to see the government shut down,” Cantor said. But then almost in the same breath listed off all of the priorities he has for the next federal spending plan. Priorities that the White House and Senate Democrats clearly do not share. So when it comes to a staring match, Cantor appears to be the one who will not blink.
“We are not interested in supporting the status-quo, things have to change,” and then he went on to say “We do not want to shut the government down, but if it comes to a partial shutdown then we have to stand up and do what is right.”
But could standing up for what is right, mean breaking from the Republican Speaker of the House as well? Cantor appeared to be out of the loop in a recent press gaggle in Washington about a specific budget item reportedly agreed to between House leaders and the White House. He told me that the Speaker, John Boehner is taking the lead in Budget negotiations, and so far he has not seen a proposal he would vote yes for.
“There are reports of some kind of deal that has been struck, I am not supportive of any deal that has been reported,” Cantor said. “I think that when the people of American and Virginia look at the size of the annual deficit alone I think that they can see that $60 billion relative to $1.6 trillion is something we have got to do.”
Cantor’s office stressed to me today that at this point the budget debate is stalled in the Senate. They say Senate Democrats have not put forward any type of proposal and that all House Republicans can do for now is wait until their budget emerges.
You can see the extended clip from my interview with Rep. Cantor below:
Cantor’s office also released a lengthy statement on the budget process today. You can see that after the jump:
Highwoods properties suspends Shockoe Center/ Boulevard project
In a move that will have enormous political implications, the private development company Highwoods Properties, has suspend its involvement in plans to build a new mixed-use development in Downtown Richmond that will include the construction of a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom.
Highwoods has been the driving force and muscle behind the plan to build the downtown ballpark that promised to bring activity and excitement to the historic section of Richmond. However, the project has been stalled over debate over the placement of the city’s ballpark and what team should play there if and when the stadium gets built. A growing chorus of community leaders believed the downtown ballpark combined with shopping and luxury urban living could not be supported by Richmond’s economic engine.
The roadblocks raised by powerful parties, seemed to be too much for Highwoods, and despite their belief that the concept would still work, they are dropping out.
Tara Morgan will have more on this story tonight on NBC12 at 5 and 6, and I will continue our coverage tonight at 11.
You can see the entire statement from Highwoods Properties after the jump: **UPDATED WITH ENTIRE STATEMENT FROM MAYOR JONES**
Moran Lands Jones Endorsement
Democratic candidate for Governor Brian Moran today locked in the endorsement of Richmond’s new Mayor Dwight Jones. The move continues Moran’s work to lock in the support of the state Democratic Party establishment. It is not a big surprise that Jones would get behind Moran, given their work together in the House of Delegates. Moran, of course, was the leader of the House Democratic Minority and Mayor Jones was the Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.
The Moran campaign released this statement from Jones:
“Brian has a long, proven record of fighting hard for working families in Virginia. I’ve known Brian for more than a decade and worked side-by-side with him in the legislature. We’ve fought for equal rights, quality education and equal opportunity for everyone.”
The full release is after the jump:
Jones Takes The Oath of Office
Dwight Jones is now officially the Mayor of Richmond. The former member of the House of Delegates outlasted four other candidates to win the competitive race for Mayor. He now has the responsibility of guiding the city through a difficult fiscal environment and taking over in the wake of the Doug Wilder legacy.
Andy Jenks filed a report on Jones taking the oath of office. You can watch his report by clicking here.
Wilder’s Final 24 Hours (video included)
Despite all of the noise Doug Wilder has made during his time as Richmond’s Mayor, the charismatic, groundbreaking politician appears to be going out quietly.
Wilder will serve one more day on the job as Richmond’s Mayor. Dwight Jones is scheduled to be sworn in to the position tomorrow in a low key ceremony.
Tonight on NBC12, we will take a look back at the 4 year roller coaster that was the Wilder Term.
Among the highlights we will feature:
*Wilder’s dramatic electoral victory
*His shake-up of city administration
*The appointment of Rodney Monroe and the subsequent controversy surrounding his degree from VCU.
*His role in the Obama campaign.
*The controversy surrounding his high level administrative aides.
*The attempt to evict the school administration from city hall.
*His constant battle for power with City Council.
We also speculate as to where Mr. Wilder could land in his post-mayoral life. (I welcome your comments as to where you think he will go next. )
After this evening’s broadcast, I’ll post the video of our story.
To see video from our 11pm story click here. Read the rest of this entry »
McQuinn Wins Democratic Caucus
Current Richmond City Councilwoman Delores McQuinn has captured the democratic nomination for the special election to replace Mayor-Elect Dwight Jones in the House of Delegates.
McQuinn had the support of the Mayor-Elect and should cruise to victory in the special election, in the democrat- leaning 70th district.
The Councilwoman captured 398 votes to Henrico Attorney Carlos Brown‘s 82 votes.
The special election is scheduled for January 6th.
At this point, no Republican has expressed interest in running.
Jones Unveils New Transition Team Members
Here is a look at a new (and rather lengthy) list of people appointed to the Dwight Jones transition team. Decide for yourself if it offers any clues as to who could end up working in his administration.
Click on the story link for the full release. Read the rest of this entry »
