The well-publicized clashes between the School Board and the city administration prompted the idea, says Lambert, a vice president and financial adviser for Banc of America Investment Services Inc. “The School Board simply has to be in line with the mayor, and it’s not,” he says.

If he runs, he says, he plans to investigate the status of the Richmond Public Schools Foundation. In addition, he criticizes Wolf as creating an atmosphere that is divisive and distracting. “Everyone I’ve talked to is very disgruntled with her,” he says.

Wolf says she welcomes the challenge. “The more the merrier — that’s what’s great about democracy,” she says.

Wolf says she’s unapologetic for her clashes with the city administration. “I knew when I took the positions I did with the School Board and the administration I was putting a target on my back,” she says. “If there’s one person who’s stood up to Wilder, it’s me.”

Lambert, 39, and his wife, Mary, who is expecting the couple’s first child, live in Ginter Park. The eldest of four children, Lambert also was raised in the 3rd District’s Battery Park neighborhood. He graduated from Benedictine High School in 1985.

Lambert’s been involved with Moving Richmond Forward, the Coalition for a Greater Richmond and the Richmond Public Library Foundation. He recently served as treasurer for Mayor L. Douglas Wilder’s election campaign.

Lambert says he’ll make his decision soon.

Candidates for Richmond City Council and the School Board have until June 13 to register for the general election, which falls on Nov. 7. At press time five had registered. City Council candidates include Mark Pounders, 1st District, and Douglas G. Conner, 9th District. Candidates for Richmond School Board are Rosetta Lightfoot-Sizer, 3rd District, C.L Hurt, 5th District, and Alfred Goodwein, 8th District.