Meet Celvin Richardson, Candidate for Virginia State Senate – District 12

Celvin Richardson has spent his life working where it matters most—inside our schools, alongside families, and on the front lines of public safety.

He is not a career politician. He is a teacher, a mentor, and a public servant who has seen firsthand what works—and what does not—when it comes to keeping communities safe and helping people succeed.

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Earlier in his career, he served as a Probation Officer with the Department of Juvenile Justice and later as a Magistrate in Richmond, where he made critical decisions involving public safety, warrants, and emergency cases. Those experiences gave him a clear understanding of how the system impacts both victims and families—and why prevention and accountability must go hand in hand.

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He also worked as a researcher with the Richmond Police Department, focusing on violent crime—studying patterns, analyzing data, and helping inform strategies aimed at reducing crime and improving community safety. That experience continues to shape his approach today: smart, data-driven, and focused on stopping crime before it starts.

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Celvin’s next path took him to the public school system. For more than a decade, Celvin taught students in grades K through 12 in every core subject, helping young people—especially those facing challenges—find their path forward. As a Special Education Teacher and 504 Coordinator, he worked closely with families, building plans that gave every child a fair shot at success. He also trained and supported fellow teachers, sharing real-world strategies to improve classrooms across multiple school systems.

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 Today, Celvin works with the Virginia Department of Corrections, helping individuals earn educational credentials like the GED so they can return to society with real opportunities—not just a second chance, but a better one. Celvin also serves on two boards, in February 2024, Celvin was appointed to the Chesterfield County Public Schools Advisory Committee on School Health and on March 18, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger appointed Celvin to the Board for Juvenile Justice, where he will serve for the next four years.

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Celvin Richardson knows our community because he has served it—from classrooms to courtrooms to community programs.

 

​​He is focused on:

• Safer communities through prevention, accountability, and smart policing

• Stronger schools that support teachers and meet every student where they are

• Second chances through job training and reentry programs

• Support for families dealing with rising costs and limited opportunities

• Smart growth that strengthens neighborhoods without leaving people behind.

 

A Simple Belief

Celvin Richardson believes if we invest in people early, support them along the way, and hold them accountable when necessary—we can build a safer, stronger Virginia for everyone.