The attack on Berry was among the negative messages tested in a “push poll” that a number of Richmonders reported receiving in recent weeks from Public Policy Polling.

Among the questions in a long list focused on Berry’s past actions was: “What concerns you the most about Jack Berry? That he says one thing but does another when it comes to the Shockoe Bottom baseball stadium, that he wants to cut $23.8 million in school spending, or that he has a history of supporting boondoggle projects that cost city taxpayers millions while developers get rich?”

Stoney’s campaign has declined to comment on how much it has spent on its negative ads or where it is targeting them. Regarding the poll, a spokesman said he could neither “confirm nor deny” Stoney’s involvement.

Morrissey has led the race, while Berry has placed second and Stoney has lingered in third, according to recent polls.

Morrissey and Berry have pledged to remain positive. But, while neither has launched explicitly negative advertising campaigns, both have taken negative bents in their campaign messaging.

“We have no plans to go negative,” Berry said Monday after an event. “We’re keeping very positive messaging with two weeks to go.”