L. Douglas Wilder Still Speaks with Power and Purpose
More than three decades after making U.S. history, Doug Wilder remains a force in politics. He was the first Black person elected governor of a U.S. state when he won Virginia’s top job in 1989.
Now 94, Wilder remains sharp, outspoken, and deeply concerned about the state of local and national leadership. In a recent episode of Untold – A WTVR Podcast, he sat down with host Catie Beck to talk candidly about Richmond’s ongoing water crisis, Virginia politics, and the future of America’s leadership.
Unfiltered Take on Richmond’s Water Crisis
Wilder didn’t hold back when speaking about the water main issues troubling Richmond. He called the crisis a failure of basic leadership and demanded real accountability.
“It’s broken, and it needed to have been fixed,” he said. “If you can’t fix it, I’m trying to get somebody else to take your place.”
He expressed frustration that problems like this continue in the city he once led. As Richmond’s first popularly elected mayor in 2005, he understands the pressure of local office—and expects better from today’s leaders.
Strong Views on John Reid and Political Integrity
Wilder also weighed in on a major controversy in this year’s lieutenant governor race. Republican candidate John Reid claimed Governor Glenn Youngkin asked him to step down due to alleged inappropriate online posts. Reid denied the claims and said he felt targeted for being openly gay.
Wilder questioned the governor’s handling of the situation:
“Governor Youngkin did something no Virginia governor has done. He said, ‘I demand.’ Who are you to demand that?”
He challenged Youngkin’s political decisions and emphasized that the people—not party insiders—should decide who runs for office.
Wilder on What Truly Matters to Voters
When it comes to Virginia voters, Wilder believes their concerns are clear. “Cost of living” tops the list, he said, and it cuts across every major issue.
Housing, healthcare, education, and taxes all connect to how money is spent. He pressed current leaders to use public funds wisely and asked tough questions:
“Can you do better? If so, how? If not, why are you running?”
He also criticized politicians who expect to be promoted without proving results.
Disappointment with the National Democratic Party
Wilder didn’t spare his own party from critique. He pointed to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 loss as a clear warning sign.
“They’re not relating to the people,” he said. He stressed the importance of focusing on real-life needs like housing and opportunity for local families.
He warned against favoring outsiders while longtime residents struggle, saying voters want policies that actually improve lives.
Political Spark Born in Church Hill Neighborhood
Wilder’s passion for politics began early, rooted in his Church Hill neighborhood in Richmond. As a young boy, he watched governors visit his local church, which sparked his dreams.
He recalled how neighbors without formal education urged him to “stay in school” and make something of himself. That advice stayed with him throughout his life and career.
“I was always encouraged by people who didn’t have an education,” he said. “They said, ‘Don’t make the mistake we made.’”
The Mindset That Keeps Him Going at 94
At nearly a century old, Wilder shows no signs of slowing down. He credits healthy living, belief in possibility, and a strong imagination.
He shared a favorite quote from his time at Howard University Law School:
“Believe in the high possibility of the individual.”
That belief, he said, helped him rise—and he hopes it inspires others to keep aiming high, no matter their challenges.
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