Lynchburg Better Together

If you've been watching Lynchburg City Council over the last year, you know we are currently saddled with a divisive and short-sighted majority that is systematically dismantling our public schools, driving our best City employees away, and distracting from the important work of making Lynchburg a great place to live. It doesn't have to be that way!

Lynchburg deserves a City Council that is forward-thinking, collaborative, and accountable. But we can only get there by electing competent folks with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to transparency.

For the first time in living history, we have a strong Democratic candidate running in each Ward in the City. That means no matter where you are in the City, you have someone to represent your interests!

Not sure what ward you live in? Find out here!

Meet Your Candidates

  • Ward 1: Randy Smith

    Entrepreneur, Small Business Owner, Community Development Advocate

    Learn More

  • Ward 2: Dr. Sterling Wilder

    City Councilman, Youth Advocate and Nonprofit Executive Director, 25+ Year Foster Parent

    Learn More

  • Ward 3: Dr. James Coleman

    Former School Board Chair and Planning Commissioner, Professor at Virginia University of Lynchburg

    Learn More

  • Ward 4: April Watson

    Social Worker, 6th Generation Lynchburg Resident,
    Mom to 3 Kids in Lynchburg City Schools

    Learn More

Join Us

Latest News

Latest News
NEWS & ADVANCE: Civility prevails at candidate forum in contrast to council meetings

A Lynchburg City Council candidate forum kicked off Thursday evening with each of the candidates offering their views on how they would listen to the concerns of their constituents and then work to connect, rather than divide, the city’s residents. The forum, co-sponsored by the Lynchburg Voters League, a nonprofit group that works for full voter registration, education and participation, and the Lynchburg Branch of the NAACP, included three candidates running in Ward I, one candidate running in Ward II, two in Ward III and two in Ward IV.

WDBJ7: Democratic Candidates Launch Lynchburg Campaigns for November Election

WDBJ7 covered the campaign launch at Monument Terrace for the four Democratic candidates seeking seats on City Council this November. Watch the full video below.

WSET: 'Civility and collaboration:' Lynchburg Democrats announce run for City Council

On Thursday, Lynchburg Democrats announced their candidates running for city council this election. A crowd gathered to hear the four candidates speak at Monument Terrace. One common focus was civility and communication. Democratic candidates running for city council said something needs to change. Dr. James Coleman is running against Jeff Helgeson in Ward 3. "Civility and collaboration are necessary, huge, so that we can have strong public schools and learning for all students regardless of the option," Dr. Coleman said.

NEWS & ADVANCE: Democratic City Council candidates look to prioritize civility and cooperation among other things

A little over a month removed from Lynchburg Better Together announcing its four candidates who secured Democratic nominations for November’s Lynchburg City Council elections, the group officially announced its campaign Thursday afternoon. More than 40 people joined the Democratic candidates on a warm afternoon at the base of Monument Terrace, located at 9th and Church streets.

PRESS RELEASE: Lynchburg Democrats for City Council Announce Campaign Launch

Lynchburg Better Together will announce a campaign launch on Thursday, May 23 at 12:00 PM at the base of the Monument Terrace steps (9th and Church Street) to introduce the four Democratic City Council candidates running for a seat on November 5, 2024. Randy Smith (Ward 1), Dr. Sterling Wilder (Ward 2), Dr. James Coleman (Ward 3), and April Watson (Ward 4) will be joined by friends, families and supporters. 

OPEN LETTER: 2024 Democratic LYH City Council Candidates Issue Statement in Support of Queer Town Hall (QTH)

Last week, in the aftermath of the City’s decision to cancel the International Festival, Lynchburg Councilman Martin Misjuns issued a public statement. In that statement, he claimed that local groups intended to disrupt the event and specifically named LYH Queer Town Hall and one of its members as “radical extremists.” That accusation is patently untrue, and utter nonsense. (Read the full statement here)