Levar Marcus Stoney (born March 20, 1981) is an American politician who served as the 80th mayor of Richmond, Virginia, from 2017 to 2025.

[2][3] His parents never married; Stoney and his siblings were raised by their father (who supported the family via various low-wage jobs, and eventually became a high school janitor) and grandmother (a retired domestic worker).

[6] In 2011, after his father died, Stoney began working as a consultant at Green Tech, an automotive company run by Terry McAuliffe (who had lost to Deeds in the 2009 Democratic gubernatorial primary).

[28] Upon taking office as mayor, Stoney commissioned a top-to-bottom performance audit of all city departments, conducted by the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, to be completed within 100 days of taking office with the aim of improving efficiency and address dissatisfaction with Richmond's government to create a more efficient administration.

[40][41] The fiscal year 2025 budget brought total local contributions to Richmond Public Schools to $239.3 million, an increase of 58%.

[42] Stoney made expanding out-of-school programming to reach every elementary and middle school student a priority during his campaign and maintained the commitment in office.

[44] In 2022, Stoney launched the Positive Youth Development Fund initiative as part of Richmond's broader gun violence prevention strategy.

[45][46] The fund, which incorporated American Rescue Plan Act funding, provides financial support to community-based organizations that offer programs aimed at keeping youth engaged and providing safe, constructive environments driven by the need to address the root causes of youth violence through educational and recreational opportunities, particularly during out-of-school time.

[48][49] These grants are used to enhance youth programs focusing on arts, education, athletics, and mental health resources, with the goal of breaking cycles of violence and fostering positive development for children in vulnerable communities.

[52] The initiative aimed to promote transparency and improve public safety by addressing key issues including the Richmond Police Department's use of force policies and the broader need for reform in Virginia's law enforcement practices.

[53][54] The recommendations aimed to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the Richmond community, emphasizing the need for a more accountable, transparent, and community-oriented approach to public safety.

[53] In 2022, Stoney proposed the creation of an independent Civilian Review Board (CRB) in Richmond to oversee the police department, an initiative that was later approved by the City Council.

[55][56] The CRB, established in response to recommendations from the Public Safety Task Force, aims to increase oversight and accountability within the Richmond Police Department.

[57] The board, consisting of eight members, will review officer misconduct, internal investigations, and provide policy and disciplinary recommendations.

[57] With a focus on enhancing police transparency and public safety, the CRB will require a five-member majority to advance any proposed actions.

[60] This came following an article in the New York Times published data which named Richmond as number two in the nation for evictions at the start of his term.

[69] Further efforts to redevelop other areas, including Gilpin Court and Jackson Ward, were initiated with a focus on increasing affordable housing and engaging residents in the planning process.

[81] In January 2023, at a United States Conference of Mayors discussion with other major city mayors on the affordable housing crisis, Stoney discussed Richmond's efforts to address the crisis and expressed frustration with dealing with out-of-town investors low-value offers and their inadequate care of property acquired in the city.

[84] The commission was initially focusing on adding historical context rather than removal with Stoney describing the monuments as an endorsement of injustices perpetrated by the Confederacy.

[88] In June 2020, nationwide protests including in Richmond at the Robert E. Lee Statue on Monument Avenue were sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

In response, Stoney met the crowd outside City Hall, apologized for the attack, and recognized that the police's actions were inexcusable.

[90] On July 1, 2020, the day a new state law granting Richmond control over its Confederate monuments took effect, Stoney used his emergency powers to order the immediate removal of the statues.

[95] Stoney highlighted the need to move beyond the symbolic weight of Confederate monuments and actively address racial injustices ingrained in the city's history.

Stoney was previously on the board of the organization, and filled the vacancy left by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, whom President Joe Biden has nominated to serve as Ambassador to India.

[108] Polling in January 2024 found that fellow Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger led the primary with 52%, with 8% in support of Stoney.