Portsmouth’s Glover wins in run for mayor; two incumbents voted off City Council
PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover fended off a challenge from Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke on Tuesday to attain a second four-year term as the city's mayor.
Glover had 17,042 votes, or 49.4% of the ballots cast, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Lucas-Burke, who's been on the City Council since 2016, was close behind, counted 14,116 votes, or 40.9% of the total.
Political newcomer Harold S. Carothers III garnered 9.2% of the vote in the mayor's race.
The totals don't include the absentee or provisional ballots, but it appeared unlikely that those would be enough for Lucas-Burke to overtake Glover.
Throughout his campaign, Glover said he's the right man to maintain stability, while Lucas-Burke touted a return to civility and consensus-building across city council if elected.
"We're just excited that we ran a very positive campaign and we kept it about the issues and how we're going to move the city of Portsmouth forward," Glover said Tuesday night at Roger Brown's restaurant on High Street. "And I stand by that."
"We were out there talking to the citizens, engaging and making sure they knew I was the best choice to lead our city into the future," Glover said. "I think what it means is continuity. I think it means stability. I think it means that we've got a vision."
With three new council members elected into posts, he said, "we can get them on board with the vision and really start to get them moving forward with one voice, as one team, and that's what I'm really excited about."
Glover, the owner of Commonwealth Employee Benefit Solutions, said the city jail being closed on the city's waterfront would open up land for development. "Once those things get started, people are going to get reinvigorated," he said. "They're going to believe in the future of Portsmouth more than they do today."
Glover declined to speak directly about Lucas-Burke, but said he "wished everyone well who put their hat in the ring to run."
In a lighter moment later, the mayor was less formal. "We beat the beast!" Glover shouted as he hugged his supporters.
Lucas-Burke had a victory party with about 200 supporters at the River Casino Portsmouth. She addressed the crowd at about 9 p.m., saying she hoped she'd be in the clear lead by that point in the evening.
"We all work for change, we all want change and we're waiting for that right now," she said. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the work that you've done. We've started this race in January of this year, and we've been running hard."
Lucas-Burke is the daughter of Sen. Louise Lucas, who's represented Portsmouth in the Virginia Senate for more than three decades.
Lucas-Burke thanked the supporters for canvassing and "hitting the pavement" and knocking on doors. "I appreciate every bit of that," she said. "I thank you, and I love you."
She left the event before the city reported its early votes, but didn't concede, saying she was confident that those votes would "lessen the gap from what we're seeing on the screen right now."
Lucas-Burke could not be reached later in the evening when it appeared that Glover had actually expanded his lead when those early votes were counted. Because she had to give up her council seat to run for mayor, she will step down on Dec. 31.
This election came nearly half a year after a new city manager took the reins, the fourth hire in as many years.
In addition to crime, Portsmouth's stability in city leadership, long-term vision for the city and overall public perception were major themes for candidates in both the mayor's race and City Council election.
City Council
Three new members were elected to the Portsmouth City Council on Tuesday — with two incumbents voted out.
Eleven candidates were running to fill three seats on the seven-member council, with voters selecting their top three picks. One of the three newcomers will fill the seat held by Lucas-Burke, who had to give up her council seat in order to run for mayor.
The three newcomers — Yolanda C. "Edmonds" Thomas, Kathryn W. "Kitty" Bryant and William "Bill" Dodson Jr. — were the top three finishers Tuesday.
Thomas garnered 15.8% of the total votes, while Bryant received 12.3% and Dodson finished with 11.8%.
The two incumbents in the race, De'Andre A. Barnes and Mark M. Whitaker, finished just behind them, in the fourth and fifth.
Barnes had 11.6% of the vote while Whitaker finished with 11%.
The sixth through 11th finishers were, listed in order of finish, Bruce LaLonde, Sharon D. Anderson, Kelvin E. Turner, Mia N. Phillips, Davy Smith III and Malinda A. Johnson.
Whitaker and Barnes could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
School Board
Seven candidates, including three incumbents, were vying for five seats in the Portsmouth School Board race. In this year's election, the top five vote-getters are getting seats.
Lateacia Sessoms was the top candidate for Portsmouth voters, receiving 17.6% of the vote. Jaclyn T. "Jackie" Walker followed, with 15.4%. LaKeesha S. "Klu" Atkinson and Arnette D. "Love" McSwain will receive seats, garnering 13.8% and 13.3% respectively. Irene S. Boone rounds out the board, but candidate Ingrid P. Whitaker followed with a deficit of less than 1%.
Atkinson, Boone and Whitaker were seeking reelection.
During the campaign season, candidates pointed to teacher retention, school building infrastructure and state test scores as top concerns to address. When asked about student mental health, candidates pointed to staffing more guidance counselors within the district and working with other city and public health entities to address concerns about the wellbeing of students zwithin the system.
Earlier this year, the board unanimously approved its $269.3 million budget. It included a 7% raise for all employees and other staff retention and recruitment initiatives. There is also funding for technology upgrades, athletic security coverage and more to assist with security and operational improvements.
