COURTHOUSE — Virginia Beach City Councilmember Guy Tower, who has represented the Beach District for nearly three years, will not seek reelection this year.
The retired lawyer and mediator made the announcement today during an informal council meeting this afternoon at City Hall. It comes at the start of the year that could see more change for the council under a new local voting system.
Tower, who represents the Beach District, read from a statement addressed to citizens of “the once and future City Council District Six,” alluding to the new 10-district local voting system a federal judge recently ordered into effect.
Tower said he decided not to run again for a simple reason.
“I would rather spend my energies for the rest of this year focused on doing my job rather than on campaigning to keep it,” he said.
As The Independent News first reported, Tower and Councilmember Linwood Branch, who represents the Lynnhaven District, were paired in the same new council district — District Six — under a plan that was submitted to the court in late October and approved by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond A. Jackson last month. The plan is expected to be in effect for local elections this year, though the city is appealing the ruling.
Branch and Tower were the only council members paired in the same district under the new district voting system, which also has been referred to as a ward system.
“Almost three years ago when I sought temporary appointment to council and in the subsequent special election when I was chosen to continue to serve until Dec. 31, 2022, I committed to bringing a pragmatic, independent and respectful attitude to representing the residents of our great city,” Tower said this afternoon at City Hall. “I’ve worked hard to keep that promise.”
Tower noted his tenure on council coincided with tumultuous times for Virginia Beach, including the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in 2019 and the novel coronavirus pandemic, which battered the tourism industry in 2020. Other challenges included the need for renewal at the main resort, which is part of the district Tower represents.
“Notwithstanding these difficulties,” Tower said this afternoon, “Virginia Beach residents and their elected representatives — and, I might add, city staff — persevered and have achieved a remarkable record of progress on important matters.”
Tower said that included addressing stormwater and recurrent flooding issues and maintaining fiscal health amid tough times.
Tower said he made the announcement now because the voting system is most likely in place and candidates should have time to pursue the seat for District Six.
Tower initially did not intend to seek election to the seat, as he told the council when he sought the appointment, but he later changed his mind and won a special election to finish the remainder of the term Nygaard had begun.
Even that special election came with drama, as another sitting member of the council, Rosemary Wilson, who is now the vice mayor, challenged him for the seat while staying on in her at-large seat.
Tower won 42.3 percent of the vote, Wilson took 39.7 percent, and a third candidate, R.K. Kowalewitch, earned 17.7 percent, according to official returns reported by the state elections department. Wilson remained on the council in her at-large seat.
Tower said he will complete his term.
“There’s much to be done in 2022,” Tower said, “and I look forward to meeting those challenges.”
Ed. — Read Tower’s letter at this link.
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