Richmond elects Dr. Danny Avula as first Indian-American mayor

Dr. Danny Avula photo contributed by the Virginia Department of Health in 2021

By Amie Knowles

November 12, 2024

From public health professional to mayor, Dr. Danny Avula’s historic win marks a new chapter for Virginia’s capital city.

Dr. Danny Avula became a household name in the commonwealth in 2021, when then-governor Ralph Northam appointed him as the COVID-19 Vaccine Coordinator. Now, Avula is making history again.

The physician, with a longstanding career in public health, recently won his mayoral bid in Richmond. Avula will be the first Indian-American to assume the position, as well as the first immigrant to win the seat.

Avula is no stranger to RVA. He’s lived in the Richmond area for two decades, where he and his wife (a local elementary school teacher) raised their five children. The doctor also served the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for a total of 12 years, including as director for half of that period. He’s also practiced at Chippenham Hospital, located on the Southside of Richmond, according to his campaign biography.

At the state level in 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Avula as the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services.

As commissioner, Avula “implemented key changes to support families across Virginia and to create more sustainable pathways out of poverty,” according to his campaign website. “He expanded resources through successful legislative advocacy, laid the groundwork and began the process of replacing outdated IT systems, and ensured employees statewide had the necessary training to offer responsive, high-quality service.”

During his campaign, Avula ran on an uplifting principal: “It’s going to take all of us, but together we will build a Richmond where everyone’s rights are protected, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and where no one gets left behind.”

He also listed top priorities he hopes to tackle as mayor, including:

Thriving neighborhoods and affordable housing
Supporting kids and families, both in and out of school
An effective and accountable City Hall
Reproductive freedom
Fostering an inclusive city
Focusing on urban environments

Avula will take office in January.

Amie Knowles

Amie Knowles is Dogwood's newsletter editor. She has been in journalism for several years, winning multiple awards from the Virginia Press Association for news and feature content. A lifelong Virginia resident, her work has appeared in the Martinsville Bulletin, Danville Register & Bee, and NWNC Magazine.

Have a story tip? Reach Amie at [email protected]. For local reporting in Virginia that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Amie’s newsletter.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: LOCAL PEOPLE

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Virginians and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at Dogwood has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Virginia families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.