Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder said yesterday he would not seek re-election, apparently ending a high-profile career most notable for his role as the nation’s first black governor. Colleagues said he “clearly left his mark” on the state, but his legacy may be dimmed by recent bitter and losing battles with the City Council.
Mr. Wilder, 77, told staffers yesterday morning that he would not run for a second term in city’s nonpartisan mayoral race in November.
“I would like to thank all of those who have supported me — from the business community to our regional colleagues to all of our citizens of every walk of life and stripe — for their continued encouragement and commitment,” Mr. Wilder said in a statement.
“I’ve done everything you can do,” he said in a brief, televised comment. He declined requests for interviews.
He was elected the nation’s first black governor in 1989, and has stumped hard for Sen. Barack Obama, who appears likely to be the first black presidential candidate picked by either of the nation’s two major political parties.
His long work in state politics began in 1969 when he won a seat in the Virginia Senate. Over the next four decades he built a career as one of the most influential politicians in Virginia and nationwide, friends say.
“He is an American original,” said Robert D. Holsworth, a close friend and political science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. “He’s never been unwilling to upset either the establishment or the conventional wisdom. There are always some people that say he goes too far.”
Mr. Wilder’s return to government as mayor of Richmond in 2005 was his “second act” Mr. Holsworth said. His “first act” was a long career in state politics, and his third is likely to be a continued role with the Barack Obama campaign and possibly in an Obama administration, Mr. Holsworth said, adding that a Cabinet seat would be unlikely.
“Doug Wilder is a deeply committed public servant who has broken barriers and opened doors for countless Americans. I congratulate him on his many years of service to Virginia and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Mr. Obama said in a statement.
Top Virginia politicians from both parties who worked closely with Mr. Wilder praised his career.
“Mayor Wilder has a long and distinguished record of public service, and that should be remembered and honored,” said Gordon Hickey, a spokesman for Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine.
“Doug Wilder is a distinguished Virginian who made history,” Sen. John Warner, a Republican, said in a statement.
Lawmakers say Mr. Wilder’s stern, sometimes brash style helped the state through one of its worst recessions during his time as governor.
“He was tough, if you disagreed with him, you knew right away what his position was,” said House Minority Leader Ward B. Armstrong, a Democrat who served in the House while Mr. Wilder was governor. “He would never hold back … I think he clearly left his mark on the state of Virginia and the city.”
Mr. Wilder’s administration began in 1990 as the nation entered recession and the state faced a $2.1 billion budget deficit.
Virginia was one of only two states preserve a top-quality AAA bond rating during the slowdown without raising taxes.
Mr. Wilder also successfully pushed legislation to limit hand-gun purchases to once a month.
Mr. Wilder frequently stumbled at attempts to run for national office — dropping out of a U.S. Senate race twice, and dropping out of the 1992 presidential primary amid low poll numbers and criticism he was not focused on governing Virginia.
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat who is now running for U.S. Senate, said he got his start in politics by working for Mr. Wilder’s gubernatorial campaign. Mr. Wilder later appointed Mr. Warner state Democratic Party chairman.
Though the two ended up sparring on fiscal policy in 2004 — when Mr. Wilder joined with Republicans in campaigning against Mr. Warner’s plan to raise taxes — Mr. Warner praised his former boss yesterday.
“I would not be where I am today were it not for some of the things I learned from him,” Mr. Warner said. “Doug has always been willing to offer an independent voice, and he and I have not always agreed, but I have enormous respect for his public service.”
In 2004, Mr. Wilder spearheaded a campaign to change the governing structure of his hometown of Richmond, changing it from a city manager and the city council form of government to one led by a “strong” mayor directly elected by the voters.
He then won election as the first such mayor of Richmond since the 1940s.
He won a landslide victory that November on promises to clean up a “cesspool of corruption” in City Hall. But his career met a rocky end there following clashes with the City Council and city staffers he forced to reapply for their jobs.
Tensions reached a head last September as Mr. Wilder tried to push school leaders out of City Hall to new offices in a dispute over funding and accountability in the poorly performing school district.
In a brazen and futile nighttime move, Mr. Wilder attempted a surprise forced eviction from the school offices, ringing City Hall with moving vans and a police cordon.
A circuit court judge ended the chaos during an emergency midnight hearing, blocking Mr. Wilder’s effort with a temporary restraining order.
“I thank the mayor for his service, he’s been a lightning rod in this community for many years,” said City council member Bruce W. Tyler. “I’m appreciative of the fact the mayor recognizes the need for new leadership.”
• Christina Bellantoni contributed to this report.
Last frontier for pioneer
Lawrence Douglas Wilder
AGE — 77, born Jan. 17, 1931, in Richmond.
FAMILY — Grandson of slaves. Divorced from Eunice Wilder in 1978; they had two daughters, Lynn and Loren, and a son, Lawrence Jr.
EARLY YEARS: Attended racially segregated George Mason Elementary School and Armstrong High School, going on to Virginia Union University; graduated 1951 with chemistry degree.
EXPERIENCE — Served in U.S. Army in Korean War. Was promoted to sergeant and received the Bronze Star after he and another soldier captured 19 North Korean troops at Pork Chop Hill. Later attended Howard University School of Law under the G.I. Bill.
POLITICAL CAREER — A Democrat, he served in the Virginia Senate 1969-1986. Elected lieutenant governor in 1985, becoming the first black to win a statewide election in Virginia. Became the nation’s first elected black governor in 1989. Elected mayor of Richmond in 2004. Ran brief campaign for president in 1992. Early supporter of the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, Illinois Democrat.
LEGACY: As governor, won wide praise for maintaining Virginia’s top credit rating and resolving budget shorfall without raising taxes during early ’90s recession. Earned maverick reputation for willingness to confront fellow Democrats and work across the aisle. Defeated National Rifle Association to enact limit of one handgun purchase per month. Successfully backed referendum calling for directly elected Richmond mayor, and became the first mayor so elected.
CONS: Confrontational approach alienated many in party. Fights between the governor and his advisers overshadowed his policies. Granted controversial pardon to then-high-school basketball star Allen Iverson after he had served just five months of a 15-year sentence for assaulting a woman. As Richmond mayor in battle over funding and accountability, failed spectacularly in attempted forced eviction of school officials from City Hall offices.
Source: Associated Press, The Washington Times
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