By Linda Cicoira
Former Northampton Supervisor Willie Randall, an Army veteran and longtime financial advisor, is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the state District 6 Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Sen. Lynwood Lewis.
Randall is running a platform “emphasizing education, the environment, economic development, and job creation,” the candidate said Monday. “I didn’t make this move lightly. We need change in Richmond. The Sixth District needs bold, new, progressive leadership, a senator who’s more in tune with the hopes and dreams, the struggles, and the hardships that today’s families are facing. On issue-after-issue, I believe I’m more aligned with the Democratic voters and have a better idea of their thoughts and concerns.”
“This isn’t personal,” Randall continued. “This is all about the hardworking men and women and the families … who deserve more and deserve better. This isn’t about us. It’s about them. Let’s let the people decide.”
A retired U.S. Army major, who earned a Bronze Star in the first Gulf War, Randall has been a financial advisor and limited partner with the Edward Jones Investment firm, in Exmore, for more than 20 years. Randall unsuccessfully ran for delegate of the 100th district three times.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University, a master’s from Webster University, and his MBA from American Intercontinental University. He was twice elected by his fellow supervisors as chairman of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors and said he “was instrumental in saving the county millions of dollars during his tenure and considers funding the universal Pre-K program locally his signature accomplishment.”
“Going along to get along isn’t going to cut it anymore,” said Randall. “Bipartisanship only gets you so much. This is not business as usual. We’re in the fight of our lives and today that battle is joined.”