Democrats endorse Coleman, Foster, Nelson after forum

The Lynchburg Democratic Committee endorsed City Council candidates James Coleman, Joan Foster and Randy Nelson on Wednesday following a public forum attended by all five independent candidates for office.

In the opening statements delivered during the forum, two candidates broke away from their past stump speeches and spoke directly of some of the political tensions at play in their campaigns.

The Rev. Coleman said he knew many people were wondering why he chose to run after Lynchburg First, a new political group, did not give its endorsement to him. That group is instead backing Foster, Nelson and J.P. Vaughan.

“I respect the feelings of the people supporting those three candidates,” Coleman said. “But I feel these times are too critical and the needs are too great to continue with politics as usual and to endorse people based on cliques or out of some sense of indebtedness or just based on knowing the people and liking them without any broad-based, proven record of service.”

“I am asking for your vote because I believe I have the strongest background and the most qualifications for office, besides (Foster) our city’s mayor,” Coleman, who consistently spoke highly of Foster during the event, added.

Brent Robertson, a student at Liberty University, said he felt he was the only true independent in the race, with the possible exception of Coleman. He noted that neither he nor Coleman live in Ward I, as the three candidates endorsed by Lynchburg First do.

Robertson also referenced the anxiety felt in some quarters over LU’s new political influence and said he came to the forum with a “heavy heart for the unity” in Lynchburg.

“Unity in this great city will not come from recently coined slogans like ‘take our city back’ or tossing around sayings like ‘the LU takeover,’” he said. “This is a changing, diverse and growing city. The general populace within the city is already aware of this and it is time that the political powers-that-be recognize it as well. Not by ostracizing the change, but by embracing the change.”

In his opening statement, Vaughan reiterated that he was a political independent and said he admired Lynchburg First for “having the courage” to endorse three independent thinkers.

He said the city needed council members who could put themselves in other people’s shoes. “It’s tough and it’s hard, but we’ve got to try,” he said. “I promise I’ll try if you put me on City Council.”

Foster, who is seeking a third term on council, said she considered her time in office to be some of the most rewarding years of her life. She added she sought to be a representative for all citizens.

“I always have an open door. I’ll always be there to talk to you and listen to you,” she said. “I don’t like the divisiveness. I don’t like everything that was said here tonight.”

Nelson, who has been serving as an interim councilman since January, said the lack of “civility” in some local political discourse was disturbing to him and one of the major reasons he was seeking office.

“City Council should be leaders,” he said. “… It should challenge people to come together in a collaborative fashion.”

The forum, attended by about 70 people, went on for about 90 minutes. Afterward, the Lynchburg Democratic Committee conducted a private vote on the endorsements.

The committee’s choices, Coleman, Foster and Nelson, mirror those made by the Lynchburg Voters League earlier this week.

The three Republican nominees for office, Hunsdon Cary, Don Good and Ted Hannon, were not invited to participate in Wednesday’s forum.