There's less than a month to go until anyone interested in running for mayor of Richmond must put their money where their mouth is. June 10 is the filing deadline for when mayoral candidates have to submit 500 signatures of support with at least 50 from each city district.
So far, five people have announced their intentions to run though incumbent Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and City Council president Bill Pantele have not said whether they will seek the spot.
To keep you informed, Richmond.com will give you the skinny on each candidate every Thursday until the June 10 deadline.
Today, meet candidate Donnie Corker, who's also notoriously known as Dirtwoman.
Donnie Corker/Dirtwoman
Age: 56
Family/pets: I have a dog Bitsy and a sweet sister I live with.
Web site: dirtwoman.com
Occupation: I'm disabled.
Background: I grew up on Oregon Hill years ago.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm a born again Christian and I do shows every year for the food bank. I dress in drag and do shows at Poe's Pub and Shockoe Bottom for the food bank. I've been doing that ever since I was 13.
How did you get the name Dirtwoman?
Years ago in 1976, I got arrested for prostitution. The police threw me in the back seat of a police car and I poo poo'd all over the car's back seat. Been known as Dirtwoman ever since. I'm proud of it because they gave [the name] to me to hurt my feelings, but it didn't. It made me world famous.
What's your favorite Richmond restaurant?
I like them all. I go to a lot of them. I like Poe's Pub. It's got good food and everything. I like Joy Garden on the Boulevard at Broad Street. It's a good place to eat, a nice restaurant.
What are your top priorities?
My priorities are to help the police department out and help out the people of Richmond. I want to do a lot of things to help them, help poor people and nursing homes and make sure they don't treat older people bad.
Why should people vote for you?
Because I think we need a change here in Richmond. There's too much mudslinging. The other day up on Broad Street, there was a poor lady and she tells me, 'Sir, do you please have money to buy me something to eat?' I took the last $5 I had in my pocket and gave it to her.
What else do you want to say or want people to know?
I'm a good person. I'm for the people, not for one person, for the all people and [if] I do get elected, I will help the School Board out. I won't fight them. I will help City Council too.
I'm for the people. The other candidates don't say what they're going to do for the people. I said on the news that I work for the people. I'll work for City Council, the people and the police department to help with crime.
Meet the rest of the candidates:
May 1: The Rev. Dwight Clinton Jones
May 8: Lawrence E. Williams
May 15: Donnie Corker
May 22: Paul Goldman
May 29: Bill Pantele
June 5: Rodney D.C. Barnes