Richmond mayoral candidate Dwight Clinton Jones has picked up the support of former Commonwealth's Attorney David M. Hicks.

Hicks, who had considered making a bid for mayor in the Nov. 4 election, confirmed today that he's supporting Jones, a Richmond delegate and pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond. Jones' campaign is scheduling an 11 a.m. announcement for tomorrow outside the John Marshall Courthouse.

Hicks, who won three citywide races as Richmond's top prosecutor from 1994 through 2005, represents the first significant endorsement in the fledgling race to pick a successor to Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. Wilder announced Friday that he would not seek a second term. Candidates face a June 10 filing deadline.

"Of everyone who I think is going to run, Dwight and I have the closest positions in terms of education and inclusiveness," Hicks said. "In this particular time of our city, those are going to be huge issues."

Paul Goldman, a former aide to Wilder, and Jones have filed papers to be on the ballot. Lawrence E. Williams Sr. and Donnie Corker also say they're running. City Council President William J. Pantele and attorney Robert J. Grey Jr. are considering bids.

Former City Councilwoman Jackie Jackson announced she was running for mayor but later dropped out of the race. She said in an e-mail yesterday that she's thinking about re-entering now that Wilder says he won't run.