Occupation: lawyer

More than any other potential candidate, Joe Morrissey would bring instant name recognition to the race but, given his recent history, it’s not necessarily clear that’s an asset.

He earned statewide coverage last year when he served as a member of the House of Delegates at the same time he served a work-release jail sentence for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The charge stemmed from an alleged relationship with a then-17-year-old receptionist in his law office, Myrna Warren, to whom he is now engaged. The couple have a child.

But Morrissey, who served as Richmond commonwealth’s attorney from 1989 to 1993 and in the General Assembly from 2007 to 2015, has courted controversy throughout his long career in Richmond-area politics and, so far, it has not seemed to hold him back.

Morrissey said he has not made a final decision about a run but, if he does, he will likely rely on his retail political skills — he made constituent services a priority while in the House and prizes his ability to connect directly with voters.

Morrissey said his campaign would make the city’s ailing school system a top priority.