Virginia Beach mayor: Incumbents' victories are evidence of public’s satisfaction with the council

Virginia Beach — Residents overwhelmingly voted to keep all five council members who were up for reelection in Virginia Beach, and the mayor — one of those victors — said that shows residents are satisfied with their local government.

The city has been through many hardships over the past four years. The coronavirus pandemic, along with protests relating to racial injustice and police brutality, have taken center stage this year while the city is still healing from the 2019 mass shooting at the Municipal Center.

“I have been tested through some challenging times and I think people have a good feeling about their city in spite of everything we have been through,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said.

Wednesday morning, mayoral candidate Jody Wagner said she called Dyer to congratulate him. She said she was surprised by his win, but nonetheless she would like to continue to work to help the city improve its economic development.

“Evidently, Mayor Dyer is well liked in this city,” Wagner said. “I let him know I would work with him any way to bring the city together and move forward.”

Wagner entered the race in June on last day candidates were eligible to file to run for election. While she worked in state government as the former treasurer and finance secretary, this was her first attempt at running for local office. The North End resident and owner of Jody’s Popcorn said she had to build a campaign and gain name recognition very quickly, and struggled to reach absentee voters during a pandemic.

Most candidates said they focused much of their campaigning efforts on social media and talking to voters in lines outside polling places starting in mid-September since the pandemic made it unsafe to gather in large groups indoors.

Wagner said an attack ad from Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, funded by local developers including Bruce Thompson, hurt her and propped up Dyer. She said it mischaracterized her as marching with protesters to defund the police in July. The gathering was actually a unity rally organized by local college athletes and students that was attended by local elected officials, police officers, Norfolk State University administration and faith and community leaders, she said.

Council members Rosemary Wilson, Sabrina Wooten, Michael Berlucchi and Jessica Abbott will return to their positions. Wilson has held an at-large council seat since 2000, while the other three have joined the council over the past few years.

Wooten is the first Black woman to be re-elected to the Beach’s council. She joined in 2018 to fill Dyer’s seat when he was elected mayor.

Wilson said wins for incumbents means the council will be able to continue to work together to deal with major issues, such as flooding relief and creating new jobs.

“They know that this is not the time for new leadership to get us through this crisis,” Wilson said. “I think we are doing more than any other city in the region to get through this pandemic.”

Abbott, the youngest member to be elected to the Virginia Beach City Council in 2017, earned the most votes of all of the council races.

“Words cannot describe how humbled and appreciative I am to have been re-elected by the people of Virginia Beach," she said. "It’s an incredible honor to serve and represent our community on City Council. I embrace the challenges we face and am committed to putting in the work to be an advocate for our great city.”

The council has 11 members and the positions are officially non-partisan, but the local political parties made endorsements in the five races this year.

More than 51% of voters in Virginia Beach selected Joe Biden for president and U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, both Democrats, but those votes didn’t translate to support for Wagner, who was supported by the Democrats. Wagner raised $848,032, while Dyer raised $271,765, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Election results were still being counted at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Wednesday but none of the council challengers had a clear path to victory.

Alissa Skelton, 757-995-9043, alissa.skelton@pilotonline.com.