OCEANFRONT — Virginia Beach City Councilmember Linwood Branch, appointed to the Lynnhaven District seat last year, will run to remain on the council in the new District 6 seat, located in the northeastern corner of the city.
“I’m in,” Branch said during an interview Tuesday, March 8, amid the council retreat at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
“I’m running,” Branch added before discussing the need to help Virginia Beach recover from the pandemic and related shutdowns with clear plans and goals. “I just see a lot of really good opportunities for our city.”
Branch is a hotelier who served on the City Council for a decade representing the old Virginia Beach Borough and, later, the Beach District until 2002. He has held leadership positions in organizations related to the hospitality industry and public safety.
Priorities include helping the resort industry grow stronger following the pandemic and to find new ways to make the city a destination all year rather than just during the main vacation season. He prioritized public safety, addressing homelessness and workforce development among his goals when he was appointed, and, this past week, he noted his work as liaison to committees addressing city process improvement and the resort area.
Branch said he is interested in working with City Councilmember Michael Berlucchi to develop resources for action sports such as BMX biking, which are different than participatory sports at a number of venues and amenities in the city. “I think it’s a great identity for us.,” Branch said.
Branch and City Councilmember Barbara Henley, who was elected to represent the Princess Anne District and resides within the new District 2, this past week announced their intention to restore the city’s open space program. Branch also wants to continue to improve the government’s communication with its citizens.
“When we engage with them and work with them from the ground up, these are the ideas that have greater support,” he said.
Branch was appointed following the resignation of former Vice Mayor Jim Wood, who left the council to pursue a professional opportunity. Following the implementation of the new court-ordered 10-member district voting system in Virginia Beach, Branch and City Councilmember Guy Tower were the only two council members who lived in the same new district.
Tower, elected to represent the Beach District, announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection to the council.
Oral arguments in the city’s appeal of the federal ruling that led to the new voting system were held on the same day Branch was interviewed. It is uncertain when a ruling may be delivered and what effect that might have upon this year’s local elections.
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