Three of the city's mayoral candidates are joining forces to appeal what they are calling the backroom, closed-door endorsement of a fourth candidate by the Richmond City Democratic Committee.

A joint committee representing the 3rd and 7th Congressional District Committees will hear specifics of the appeal tonight in a conference call.

Mayoral candidates Paul Goldman, Robert J. Grey Jr. and William J. Pantele said at a news conference yesterday that each of them will participate in the appeal process.

The appeal will focus on the city committee's unannounced decision Sept. 25 to endorse Dwight Clinton Jones without hearing from other candidates. Previous election endorsements have followed recommendations made by the committee's executive committee, the three candidates said yesterday.

Goldman said new business cannot be introduced at committee meetings without advance notice.

Pantele called the action, which followed a motion from the floor, "endorsement by ambush."

The appeal likely will reach the Democratic Party of Virginia, but it was not clear whether the matter can be resolved before the Nov. 4. election.

Goldman said the endorsement gives powerful leverage to Jones in a city that is heavily Democratic.

A fifth candidate, Lawrence E. Williams Sr., has criticized the process but was not included in the three-part effort yesterday.

The three candidates said the endorsement process was unfair and reflects poorly on the city.

"The next mayor of Richmond will need to be a person who can bring people together . . . not someone who rules with closed doors making backroom deals," Grey said.
Contact Bill McKelway at (804) 649-6601 or bmckelway@timesdispatch.com.