Two new candidates filed Monday for the at-large Lynchburg City Council race, according to the registrar’s office.
Brent Robertson, a Liberty University student, and the Rev. James Coleman, a longtime community activist, both filed to run as independents.
Robertson, 20, is an LU junior studying political science and government. He lives in the Wyndhurst neighborhood.
Coleman, 44, is the pastor of Providence Ministries International and vice president of the Lynchburg Voters League. He ran for council unsuccessfully once before in 2006, finishing eighth in a 12-way race.
His platform then emphasized education, economic development and a need to unify the city.
Coleman, who lives off Leesville Road in the Brookville Village neighborhood, indicated last month that he planned to make another bid for office this year. He’s expected to make a formal campaign announcement Wednesday.
Robertson, a political newcomer, originally hails from Ohio. His father, Brian, is the executive pastor of New Life Church, a non-denominational evangelical Christian church established in the Columbus area by a group of LU graduates in 1985.
Brent Robertson did not immediately return a call for comment. His father, speaking by phone, confirmed his son was running for office.
This brings the total number of people who have filed for City Council candidacy up to seven. Lynchburg’s three at-large council seats are all coming up for election on May 4. The deadline for candidates to file is 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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