The Richmond City Democratic Committee has endorsed Del. Dwight Clinton Jones for mayor.

The Jones campaign said Jones received nearly 70 percent of the vote last night.

"I am honored to be endorsed by the Democratic Party and to join Barack Obama, Mark Warner and Bobby Scott on the ticket," Jones said in a statement.

The committee had not been expected to vote last night, and mayoral candidate Paul Goldman said he plans to challenge the endorsement. The candidates weren't interviewed or asked to give their opinions on issues, said Goldman, who plans an afternoon news conference.

"This is a sham. This is an embarrassment to anybody who believe in the principles of the Democratic Party," he said.

Kevin O'Holleran, Jones' campaign manager, said the endorsement was handled properly.

-- Will Jones