VIRGINIA BEACH — City Councilmember Jessica Abbott today announced her immediate resignation from her Kempsville District seat due to a medical concern.
Abbott, who recently began her second term, was 27 years old when she was first elected to the City Council in 2016. Abbott became the youngest candidate to win office in the city, and she defeated an incumbent, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, to do it.
Abbott could not immediately be reached for comment. In a statement, she thanked city staff and her colleagues on the City Council — and the citizens for allowing her the honor of serving.
“It’s not an honor I took lightly or a job I took without expecting to give it 100 percent,” Abbott said. “Unfortunately, some health concerns have recently surfaced. I’m not going to offer details other than to say I must take some time to focus on my health and wellbeing.”
Abbott said in the statement that she hopes the council will appoint someone temporarily to serve the district and the city, and that there would be a special election this year to fill the seat for the remainder of her term.
“While my decision to resign weighs heavily on my heart, I know it is the right thing to do for me, for my family and for the residents of this city,” Abbott said.
“Virginia Beach and Kempsville deserve a representative who can be 100 percent focused on the city’s needs, as public service is always about putting your community first,” she added. “Regrettably, that is not something I can do right now.”
Ed. — This is a breaking news story, and it will be updated.
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