The Democratic Party of Virginia won't intervene in a fight over an endorsement for Richmond mayoral candidate Dwight Clinton Jones until after a decision on an appeal is made.

"We're not going to pre-emptively change anything, but we want a process is which everyone's voice is heard," said Jared Leopold, a state party spokesman.

Paul Goldman, another candidate for mayor, is challenging the endorsement on the grounds that members of the Richmond City Democratic Committee were not properly notified that a vote would take place at last Thursday's meeting at the Science Museum of Virginia. The vote was not scheduled, but it occurred after a motion was made from the floor to back Jones.

Goldman said yesterday that Jones should not be allowed to refer to himself as the endorsed Democratic candidate while the appeal of last week's vote is pending.

Goldman, a former state party chairman, says the endorsement could effectively give Jones the mayorship because Richmond typically votes Democratic. His appeal is expected to be considered in the coming days by a six-person committee of the 3rd and 7th congressional district committees, which cover Richmond.

-- Will Jones