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Suzanne Seidel Richmond
From Ballotpedia
Suzanne Seidel Richmond (Democratic Party) is running for election for Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Seidel Richmond completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Virginia Beach, Virginia (2025)
General election
General election for Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney
Incumbent Colin Stolle and Suzanne Seidel Richmond are running in the general election for Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Colin Stolle (R) | ||
 | Suzanne Seidel Richmond (D)  | |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Colin Stolle advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Suzanne Seidel Richmond completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Seidel Richmond's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Suzanne Seidel Richmond is a lifelong Virginia Beach resident, attorney, and the first woman ever to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney in the city’s history. With more than 18 years of experience as a trial lawyer, she has litigated hundreds of cases as a prosecutor, public defender, and Assistant Attorney General. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her father’s career as a federal prosecutor and her mother’s active community leadership, both of which instilled in her the values of fairness, service, and integrity.
As a single mother of three boys, Suzanne understands the challenges families face and is committed to building a safer, fairer Virginia Beach. Her campaign focuses on reducing gun violence, expanding community-based prosecution, and creating a Veterans Treatment Docket to support those who served our country.
She has been endorsed by the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus, the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, and the Latino Caucus, who recognize her as the candidate best prepared to restore trust, transparency, and accountability in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Suzanne is running to give Virginia Beach voters a real choice after 12 years of one-party control by a political dynasty. She believes the office belongs to the people—not to a family name—and will work tirelessly to ensure that justice in Virginia Beach is fair, impartial, and rooted in the Constitution.- Gun violence is the most urgent public safety issue in Virginia Beach. As Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will focus on prevention and accountability: getting illegal guns off our streets, holding repeat violent offenders accountable, and investing in community-based prosecution to build trust. I will expand youth intervention programs to stop the cycle before it starts, and ensure victims and families receive the support they deserve.
- As Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will establish a true community-based approach to prosecution. The office must not be confined to the courthouse, but actively engaged with civic leagues, schools, faith communities, and neighborhood organizations. By fostering transparency, accessibility, and consistent dialogue, we can build public trust, strengthen collaboration with law enforcement and local partners, and address concerns at their root. Community presence is essential to both preventing crime and ensuring accountability in Virginia Beach.
- I will establish a Veterans Treatment Docket in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Supreme Court authorized these programs in 2019, yet six years later the current administration has failed to implement one. This docket will connect veterans facing criminal charges to treatment, counseling, and support services while holding them accountable. By addressing service-related trauma, mental health, and substance abuse, we can reduce recidivism, honor their service, and strengthen public safety.
Gun violence is one of the greatest threats to public safety in Virginia Beach, and it is rising at an alarming rate. As a prosecutor and a mother, I know the toll it takes on families and communities. I believe prevention must go hand in hand with prosecution: early intervention for youth, community partnerships, and holding offenders accountable. Gun violence is not just a statistic — it is shattered lives, grieving parents, and unsafe neighborhoods. We must act with urgency to make Virginia Beach safer for every family.
Prosecutors have one of the most powerful jobs in our justice system. Through prosecutorial discretion, we decide how cases move forward — and that’s why the role matters so much, because it touches real lives every single day. But prosecution must never be politicized. When justice is used to protect the powerful or punish opponents, people lose faith in the system. Justice is blind — it doesn’t care about wealth, family, or politics. At the end of the day, this job isn’t about racking up wins or doing favors. It’s about doing the right thing. The rule of law means no one is above it and no one is beneath its protection. If prosecutors stay true to that, we keep people safe, we keep the system honest, and we make sure justice is fair for everyone.
I’ve always looked up to my maternal grandfather, my Poppy. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, and his life showed me what resilience and hard work is. He grew up in poverty. His father died when he was very young. My grandfather had to work as a child to help his mother support him and his siblings. Even with all of that, he went on to college and medical school, and became a cardiologist.
What I admire most is how very kind and generous he was. He was humble, hardworking, and committed to making life better for others. He was an example to me that you can overcome hardship and build an extraordinary life.
What I admire most is how very kind and generous he was. He was humble, hardworking, and committed to making life better for others. He was an example to me that you can overcome hardship and build an extraordinary life.
I believe elected officials must lead with integrity, accountability, and fairness. Public service is not about power—it’s about people. I will work for the people of Virginia Beach, always prioritizing people and public safety over politics. Leaders should be transparent and accessible, listen with empathy, and make decisions guided by justice and the public good. True leadership requires courage to take principled stands, vision to solve problems, and a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. I will put our community first, building trust and creating a safer, fairer, and more just Virginia Beach for all.
As Commonwealth’s Attorney, my job is to be the chief prosecutor for Virginia Beach and to work every day for the people of this city. That means handling everything from misdemeanors to serious felonies and making sure cases are built on facts and fairness—not politics. My responsibility isn’t just to get convictions, but to see that justice is done and that the rights of victims, defendants, and our community are protected. I’ll manage a team of prosecutors and staff who share these values, and together we’ll set priorities that focus on keeping our city safe. I believe in working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, schools, and neighborhoods to build trust and transparency. I’ll also push for programs that actually make a difference, like youth intervention, drug treatment, and a veterans docket. At the end of the day, my responsibility is simple: to put people and public safety first, and to make sure Virginia Beach has a justice system that is fair, transparent, and accountable.
I want my legacy to be one of service, kindness, being a good friend and good mother. I received my undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and the university’s motto is Ut Prosim, “That I May Serve.” This has always stuck with me and reminds me how I want to live.
I remember the Challenger explosion. I was in elementary school, sitting on the carpet in my classroom when my teacher wheeled in the television so we could all watch. I remember my teacher saying this was very important and she wanted us to see it. I remember seeing the explosion and feeling confused. It was the first time I can recall witnessing a national tragedy.
I baby-sat when I was in middle school and high school. In college, I waited tables. I waited tables after college as a second job and I worked my way through law school as a waitress.
I don’t have one single favorite book, but Anne of Green Gables has always been one of my favorites. It’s a coming-of-age story, and I love how Anne Shirley takes a hard beginning and turns it into something beautiful. She’s imaginative, dramatic, stubborn, but also deeply kind, empathetic and hopeful. What I admire most is how she grows, learns, and builds a real home and community for herself. It’s a story about resilience and finding joy, even when life doesn’t start out easy.
I’ve honestly never really thought about wanting to be anyone else. I just keep showing up every day and try to be the best version of myself.
One of the biggest struggles in my life has been going through a divorce, having my whole world turned upside down, and becoming a single mother. I had to figure out how to do things all on my own - raising my kids, managing a household, and navigating life on a single income.
With inflation and prices climbing higher every year, it hasn’t been easy to do on a single income. I often remind myself of the Steve Jobs quote, “Some years you win, some years you build character.” It’s the hard years we grow the most, become more resilient, and just develop pure grit. They shaped who I am today, and made me stronger and given me a lot of perspective.
With inflation and prices climbing higher every year, it hasn’t been easy to do on a single income. I often remind myself of the Steve Jobs quote, “Some years you win, some years you build character.” It’s the hard years we grow the most, become more resilient, and just develop pure grit. They shaped who I am today, and made me stronger and given me a lot of perspective.
Prosecutorial discretion is one of the most powerful responsibilities in the justice system. It gives prosecutors the authority to decide whether to press charges, what charges to file, and whether to continue or end a case. These decisions consider evidence, the seriousness of the offense, and public safety. Discretion allows resources to focus on the most serious crimes and ensures justice isn’t applied mechanically but fairly. Its purpose is to protect public safety, uphold rights, and pursue justice — not just convictions.
Yes, I do. I have spent my career serving the people of Virginia as an attorney in nearly every corner of the criminal justice system. I began my career as a prosecutor, gaining firsthand experience in holding offenders accountable and seeking justice for victims. I also served as a public defender, standing beside those who could not afford legal representation and ensuring that every person’s constitutional rights were protected. Later, I worked as an Assistant Attorney General, where I handled criminal appeals on behalf of the Commonwealth, defending convictions in Virginia’s appellate courts and ensuring that justice was upheld. This broad range of experience gives me a unique perspective—I understand the system from every side, and I know how to balance fairness with accountability to build a safer and more just Virginia Beach.
My career has prepared me uniquely for the role of Commonwealth’s Attorney because I have seen the justice system from every angle. As a prosecutor, I learned how to build strong cases, work with law enforcement, and seek justice for victims. As a public defender, I gained a deep understanding of the importance of protecting constitutional rights and ensuring fairness for every person, no matter their circumstances. And as an Assistant Attorney General, I handled criminal appeals on behalf of the Commonwealth, defending convictions in Virginia’s appellate courts and honing the legal skills needed to manage complex cases. This balance of experience gives me perspective, judgment, and the ability to lead with both accountability and compassion.
Prosecutors are unique because their duty is not to a single client, but to justice and the public. They must balance fairness with accountability, using their discretion to decide when and how to bring charges. Unlike other lawyers, their role is not just to get convictions but to ensure justice is done—protecting victims, upholding constitutional rights, and safeguarding public safety. Prosecutors also lead reform by using tools like diversion programs and treatment dockets, shaping not only individual cases but the trust our community has in the justice system.
I’m always inspired when I hear stories about candidates who have faced adversity and still went on to win elections, even when people told them they couldn’t or discouraged them from running. Those stories stay with me because they show how much grit and determination it takes to put yourself out there and keep going even if the odds are against you. It reminds me that public service isn’t about an easy path - it’s about believing in something bigger than yourself and never giving up.
I am quite proud to be the Democratic candidate for Commonwealth's Attorney and the first female candidate for Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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