Politics

Norfolk, Chesapeake and Franklin Voters Make Choices

For the first time in over half a century Norfolk residents have elected all of the members of its seven-member school board.
Two of them, the Chair and the Vice Chair, were elected in 2016.

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HAMPTON ROADS

For the first time in over half a century Norfolk residents have elected all of the members of its seven-member school board.

Two of them, the Chair and the Vice Chair, were elected in 2016.

On Tuesday, voters returned one incumbent on the board, Tanya K. Bhasin, who won a three-person race in Ward 2. Newcomers are Adale M. Martin in Ward 1; Carlos J. Clanton in Ward 3; Christine E. Smith in Ward 4; and Lauren D. Campsen in Ward 5.

Norfolk City Council incumbents Paul Riddick in Ward 4 and Mamie Johnson in Ward 3 were easily returned to office. Roddick now has the longest tenure on council with 26 years. Tommy Smigiel, Jr. won unopposed in Ward 5.

Chesapeake

In Chesapeake, two African Americans will be sitting on that city’s new council with incumbents Dr. Ella P. Ward winning another four year term, and Dwight M. Parker returning to serve on council with a two-year term. Richard West was elected the city’s mayor.

Ward received the second highest number of votes among the candidates bidding for council and mayor in the city with 11,755 votes. West, who won the mayor’s job, received 13,338.

One new addition to the Chesapeake School Board is Dr. Pat King, who was among the top five vote getters for the position. Other members returning are Coleen C. Leary, Christie New Craig, Harry A. Murphy, and Michael J. Woods.