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Petersburg councilor shifts independent lieutenant governor bid to write-in campaign
His name will not be pre-printed on the November ballot under "Lieutenant Governor," but Petersburg Councilor Marlow Jones is hoping voters will print his name on the Nov. 4 ballot under "Write-In" with their pens.
Jones, known for his outspokenness and candor while representing Petersburg's Ward 1 the past two years, announced June 20 he is launching a write-in campaign for Virginia's No. 2 elected post. Earlier in the year, Jones began circulating petitions to be on the ballot as an independent candidate, but he failed to meet the minimum requirements for his name to appear.
So, Jones is going to Plan B with the write-in campaign.
'This race should be about the people—our youth, our seniors, and working families who are too often ignored by the political elite,' Jones said in a statement released by his campaign. 'I'm not here for backroom deals or partyloyalty. I'm here to fight for the voiceless.'
Jones, a former Petersburg Fire official, told The Progress-Index last March that he toyed with the idea of seeking the Republican lieutenant governor nod but changed his mind.
Virginia's lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and votes to break ties when senators deadlock on an issue. In most cases, that person votes with their party, but Jones said he was not keen on that prospect.
'I believe that if I am the deciding vote in the Senate, I should be nonpartisan,' Jones said then.
On the ballot for lieutenant governor are Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, a Chesterfield County state senator, and Republican John Reid, a former Richmond newscaster and radio talk-show host.
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In the announcement, Jones acknowledged the tough road ahead of him. No candidates without party backing or who run write-in campaigns have been successful in winning major political office in Virginia.
That is why he is announcing his candidacy five months before the November election −to garner grassroots support.
Jones also said he had been told that his candidacy might make Hashmi or Reid uncomfortable, and he is fine with that.
'If you're tired of politics as usual, and ready to see someone hold statewide candidates accountable, then I'm your choice,' Jones stated in the announcement. 'This is a voter-conscious campaign, and every nickel and dime helps us carry this message across the commonwealth.'
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Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilor Jones launches write-in bid for lieutenant governor
