Bagby formally announces bid for Virginia Senate seat

Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby Wednesday formally announced that he will seek the Ninth District Virginia Senate seat being vacated by Jennifer McClellan, who in a special election Tuesday won election to the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Fourth District.

Bagby has represented the 74th District in the Virginia House of Delegates since July 2015. Prior to that, he served nearly eight years as the Fairfield District representative on the Henrico School Board. Bagby chairs the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, of which McClellan is vice chair.

“Our communities are at a crossroads, in need of a leader committed to bridging divides to unleash all the potential Virginia’s future holds," Bagby said in a statement Wednesday. "As a member of the House and Chair of the VLBC, I have prided myself on building a reputation as a leader that can bridge partisan and policy divides to deliver substantive progress. While the impact of all that we have achieved is undeniable, there’s undoubtedly more work to be done. I remain committed to the important work of growing the Commonwealth and bettering the lives of every Virginian in it and am eager to serve the community that made me the man I am today in the State Senate.”

Bagby is a Henrico native who grew up in what is today the St. Luke Apartment complex near Richmond Raceway. He is a graduate of Henrico High School, Norfolk State University and VCU. He later worked as a teacher and administrator at Henrico High School prior to beginning his political career.

Bagby's legislative efforts have included championing legislation focused on stopping the school-to-prison pipeline, ensuring affordable housing, criminal justice reforms, voting rights, and consumer protection.

Richmond Delegate Dawn Adams and former Richmond mayoral candidate Alexsis Rodgers also are seeking the Senate seat.