Virginia’s new mayors include first Black woman, Indian-American at city helm

From left to right: Mayors-elect Joe Cobb of Roanoke, Danny Avula of Richmond, Alyia Gaskins of the city of Alexandria and Jimmy Gray of Hampton. (Collage courtesy VCU CNS)

By Marlene Dolla/VCU Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. — There were many competitive mayoral races across Virginia and the outcomes include some historic firsts, and two races within the margin of a recount.

Democrat Alyia Gaskins ran unopposed to become the City of Alexandria's first Black woman elected mayor. She received 94% of over 65,000 citywide votes, according to unofficial Department of Elections results. There were almost 4,000 write-in votes. She previously secured the Democratic nomination in a three-way primary.

Gaskins was first elected to Alexandria City Council in 2021. She replaces fellow Democratic Mayor Justin Wilson, who did not seek a final third term.

Gaskins' three-year term begins Jan. 2, with a focus on what she said resonated most with voters during her candidacy: her vision for a safer, more affordable and more accessible Alexandria that works for all.

"I am committed to finding new ways to actively engage residents in city decisions," Gaskins told Capital News Service. "From the maintenance of sidewalks, to affordable housing, to supporting small businesses, we have to harness the collective creativity of our residents and key stakeholders."

Regarding the historic nature of her election, Gaskins is proud of her story and said it empowers her.

"I feel immense humility, incredible gratitude and also a deep sense of responsibility to live up to the commitments I've made and to meet our city's expectations for a more equitable and just future," Gaskins stated.

Richmond has a new doctor mayor Former Richmond and Henrico Health Department Director Dr. Danny T.K. Avula won his mayoral bid in 6 of 9 Richmond districts, and offset a potential runoff. Avula won 46% of over 97,000 votes counted in a five-way race. Provisional ballot totals have not been officially reported.

Richmond mayor-elect Danny Avula shares his outlook for the city

Avula is the first Indian-American mayor of Richmond and the first non-Black mayor in over 20 years, according to Axios .

Former 9th District Councilwoman Michelle R. Mosby came in second with 25% of votes, Harrison N. Roday with 13%, 1st District Councilman Andreas D. Addison with 12% and Maurice X. Neblett with 3%.

Two-term Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney promised a streamlined transition during a Nov. 6 joint press conference with Avula. Avula is ready to protect the people of Richmond and fight for justice and equity in light of the presidential election outcome, he said.

Avula, a pediatrician praised for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, takes over a city government rife with dysfunction and inefficiency. He will take personal responsibility to ensure the city's government works more effectively.

"I will draw upon my career of executive-level public sector experience solving complex problems," Avula told Capital News Service.

Avula added that he will lead city agencies "through strategic and sustained action that addresses our most serious challenges while also lifting up best practices and a positive vision of public service."

Close races within margin of recount Over 180 miles from Richmond, the winner of a Southwestern mayoral race in Roanoke was clear only the day before election results were officially certified.

Democratic Vice Mayor Joe Cobb clinched a 59-vote victory in a three-way race. The city's former mayor, Republican David A. Bowers was ahead initially, and even declared victory. However, absentee ballots later placed Cobb ahead.

The state deadline for mailed absentee ballots was noon on Friday, Nov. 8. There were also 1,223 provisional ballots to be tallied, according to Nicholas Ocampo, Roanoke's director of elections and general registrar.

This is the first mayoral race in Roanoke with same-day registration , Ocampo stated.

"This process requires extra steps to verify each voter's eligibility to vote in the polling location in which their ballot was cast. Our office will continue to carefully and meticulously follow election laws and state guidelines to review each same day registration application in preparation for [certification on Nov. 15]," he stated.

Ocampo's greatest takeaway of the 2024 election is "every vote counts."

Bowers and Cobb each garnered just over 37% of almost 41,000 votes counted. Councilmember Stephanie Moon Reynols had 25% of the vote.

The results were close enough to qualify for a recount, which would need to occur within 10 days of the results being certified. The candidate must request it.

Cobb's campaign priorities were listed as transportation, education, community safety, housing and jobs. He will also be the first LGBTQ+ mayor to lead Roanoke.

Another 200 miles to the east in Hampton Roads, Suffolk's tight three-way race is also within the margin of a recount.

Incumbent Mayor Michael Duman maintained his lead over former Democratic Del. Clinton Jenkins with 164 votes, after all ballots were counted . Candidate David Bosselman received just over 30% of the over 52,000 votes.

Other mayors elected across Virginia include those in Chesapeake, Emporia, Fairfax, Hampton, Manassas, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach cities.

Hampton Roads-area races Chesapeake voters favored current Mayor Rick West over challenger Don J. Carey III with an almost 56% majority. West's stated priorities are schools, public safety, economic development, leadership and civility.

Emporia Mayor Carolyn S. Carey was reelected unopposed . Carey was first elected mayor in 2020 when she defeated incumbent Mary L. Person , the first Black person and first woman elected in the smaller city about 95 miles west of Hampton Roads.

Carey's stated focus is on new business for the city, and to make it a regional destination.

In Hampton, Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray Jr. triumphed over retired fire captain Richelle D. Wallace with 70% of almost 55,000 votes. Gray's vision is to make Hampton the "city of choice for families, small businesses, entrepreneurs, recreation, and culture," he stated.

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander staved off challengers Thomas P. Leeman Jr. and Giovanni G. Dolmo with 60% of over 82,000 votes cast.

Alexander's top priority is to "listen" in a bid to turn great ideas into best practices, he stated.

Incumbent Portsmouth Mayor Shannon E. Glover received 50% of the vote despite a strong challenge from Vice Mayor Lisa L. Lucas-Burke. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, tried to drive support for her daughter, who secured 40% of the vote.

Political newcomer Harold S. Carothers III claimed about 9% of the Portsmouth vote.

Virginia Beach Republican Mayor Bobby Dyer won reelection with 41% of over 207,000 votes cast in a five-way race. Challengers included Councilmember Sabrina Wooten at 31%, John Moss at 17%, Chris Taylor at 8% and R.K. Kowalewitch at 2.5%.

Dyer's stated top campaign priority is to keep the city's taxes the lowest in Hampton Roads.

Northern Virginia mayors hold tight Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read beat challenger Susan Hartley Kuiler with 57% of the 12,656 votes cast. Read's campaign focus is her desire to build on the city's progress since her 2022 election.

Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger defeated challenger Xiao-Yin "Tang" Byrom with 57% of over 15,400 votes. Davis-Younger campaigned to foster a city where innovation, growth and community thrive simultaneously.

Local Virginia electoral boards must certify election results by Friday, Nov. 15.