Indian American physician wins race for Mayor of Richmond, Virginia

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Pediatrician, and longtime resident of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Danny Avula, is going to lead one of the major cities in the US, the capital of the Commonwealth.

Mayor-Elect Dr. Avula describes himself as a public health leader who “has fought to make Richmond a healthy and thriving city for more than two decades,”  and “has firsthand experience working with our city’s diverse communities and bringing together public and private sector partners” to build a stronger, healthier Richmond.

Richmond is among the oldest cities in the nation, incorporated in 1742, now boasts an Indian American leader whose priorities include increasing the supply of affordable housing, promoting public safety, expanding public transportation, and investing in climate resiliency in all neighborhoods, his election campaign website says.

“My career has been about service to our city, and as Mayor, that will be no different,” Dr. Avula says on his X account. “Richmond! Thank you so much for putting your trust in me as the next mayor of our amazing city.”

According to his biography available on the campaign website, Dr. Avula served the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for 12 years, including as the Director for six years. He focused on addressing maternal and childhood health, access to reproductive care, community safety.

In January 2021, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam appointed Dr. Avula to lead the statewide COVID-19 vaccination effort. He is credited with a successful rollout and elevated Virginia from 50th to one of the top 10 most-vaccinated states in the country, the biography says.

He served as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, where is  implemented “key changes” to reduce family poverty, the bio says, expanding through successful legislative advocacy, enabling the process of replacing outdated IT systems and retraining government employees.

Dr. Avula was named one of Richmond’s “Top Docs” each year from 2013-2022, a Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year in 2019, and Style Weekly’s Richmonder of the Year in 2020.

Dr. Avula’s father grew up in rural India and came to the US when he was 19. He joined the US Navy, and after active duty, both of his parents spent their entire careers working for the Department of Defense.

Dr. Avula studied biology at University of Virginia, and attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University. He earned a Masters of Public Health degree at Johns Hopkins University.

He is married to Mary Kay and the couple has five children.