McDonnough Wins Richmond 6th District School Board Race

Jackie McDonnough leads Anne Holton in the 6th District School Board contest as Richmond voters also approve a sales tax increase for schools.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

McDonnough Wins Richmond 6th District School Board Race

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Jackie McDonnough defeated Anne Holton in the Richmond 6th District School Board race, with McDonnough holding about 70% of the vote at 11 p.m. after all eight precincts reported. Richmond voters also approved a 1% sales tax increase to fund school construction and maintenance.

Why it matters

The result gives Richmond's school board a new member from a grassroots coalition of young voters, while the sales tax approval sets a dedicated funding stream for school construction and maintenance in the city. Holton had been appointed by the board in February to fill a vacancy, so the outcome changes who holds the seat.

Unofficial returns at 11 p.m. showed McDonnough with over 3,330 votes to Holton's 1,400, with about 2,300 early ballots still outstanding. The final tally depends on those uncounted ballots, which were not yet included in the reported totals.

The players

Jackie McDonnough

McDonnough is a former director of science education at VCU's School of Education who won the Richmond 6th District School Board seat.

Anne Holton

Holton is a former Virginia public official who was appointed to the School Board in February and lost the 6th District race.

The details

McDonnough, a former director of science education at VCU's School of Education, campaigned on a grassroots coalition of young voters and raised $32,500, including a $4,000 personal contribution. Holton, appointed by the School Board in February to replace Shonda Harris-Muhammed, raised more than $110,000 and was endorsed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Mayor Danny Avula.

February 2026: The School Board appointed Anne Holton to replace Shonda Harris-Muhammed.
November 3, 2026: Richmond voters decided the 6th District School Board race and the 1% sales tax increase.

Political Context

Richmond's school board race and sales tax vote came in the same election, with the sales tax approved to fund school construction and maintenance. The sales tax approval is a dedicated revenue measure for schools, while the board seat turned on a contest between an appointed incumbent and a challenger backed by different coalitions.

The 1% sales tax increase will add to the cost of taxable purchases in Richmond, with the revenue directed to school construction and maintenance. Residents will see the tax applied to purchases once it takes effect, and the new school board member will serve on the board that oversees how those funds are spent.

The takeaway

Local school board races and dedicated school funding measures often turn on turnout in low-profile elections, so voters who want to influence the board's direction should track early ballot counts and the certified results. The sales tax now gives Richmond a dedicated revenue stream, which makes the board's spending decisions a more direct concern for residents.