As the nation watched the results of the presidential election, the outcomes of numerous Hampton Roads races came in as well.
City council and school board seats were up for grabs across the WHRO listening area. Six of the seven core Tidewater cities cast their ballots for mayor.
All five of those mayors who sought re-election won on Tuesday. The only new face stepping into a mayor's seat was Hampton's Jimmy Gray, who defeated former firefighter Richelle Wallace.
Gray is Hampton's current vice mayor and a retired assistant city manager. He told WHRO he plans to explore ways to boost community involvement in neighborhood watch programs and streamline the development process for builders.
"And I want to work toward achieving those, addressing homelessness in our community in a more meaningful way than what we've done in the past," he said.
In Suffolk, the mayor's race was down to fewer than 100 votes.
Mayor Mike Duman ended Tuesday with the lead and appears set to serve a second term. But former state Del. Clinton Jenkins trailed by fewer than 100 votes, which could allow for a recount.
At a recent candidate forum, Duman said that Suffolk can "do something a lot of other cities can't."
"We can offer a lifestyle for everyone, whether you want to be in a rural area, whether you want to be on a farm, whether you want to be downtown," he said. "My vision is that we continue to manage what we have.”
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander cruised to a third term, handily beating a pair of challengers.
Alexander said he wants to make sure all Norfolk residents can share in success.
"What people will see in a third term Kenny Alexander is focused on neighborhood development, really focused on our aging infrastructure, our aging neighborhoods," he told WHRO.
In Virginia Beach, Mayor Bobby Dyer is also set to serve another term. He won just over 40% of the vote in the city, beating out four challengers.
Dyer said at a forum in September the city has to be ready to face the challenges that come with the many positive things in the city’s future.
"Once again, the goal is eventually to continue with the quality of life that we have in the city that makes us so great," he said.
Dyer said the city’s commitment to keeping residential taxes low and expanding new industry are all ways to maintain Virginia Beach’s appeal.
Shannon Glover won a second term as mayor of Portsmouth, beating current vice mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke and political newcomer Harold Carothers III.
Glover says he wants to improve the city’s image and reputation in the region, especially with new faces on city council.
“It’s really about leading Portsmouth into a bright future," he said. "This is a beautiful, historic port city, and we deserve to make it the best place for people to live, work, play and raise a family.”
Glover was first elected to the city council in 2017, winning the mayorship in 2020.
Chesapeake’s Rick West also won his second full term as the city’s mayor Tuesday, defeating city council member Don Carey.
West said during a forum in September residents want quality schools and strong public safety, but his primary focus will be on a prosperous economy.
“Because I do believe all the things we say we want — we want swimming pools in every community, we want cultural art centers, we want better roads, we want our schools — it all comes from the business community," he said. "When you have a prosperous, growing business community, things are just…it just works.”
West cited the city’s planned industrial mega-site as one example of the kinds of projects he’d like to see in Chesapeake.
Chesapeake residents also voted against a referendum to reinstate the city’s curbside recycling program that was cut two years ago. Read more about that here.
See a full roundup of local election results below.
U.S. Senate race
For a recap of Sen. Tim Kaine's victory, see this coverage from our partners at Virginia Public Media.
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U.S. House races
For more on Rep. Jen Kiggans' election, see our coverage here.
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