VIRGINIA BEACH — City Councilmember John Moss will face challengers this year as he seeks election in the newly created District 9, but former Councilmember Brad Martin will not be one of them.
Martin recently told The Independent News he is in the process of withdrawing.
“This was certainly a tough decision because I feel I have something to contribute to the city,” said Martin, who served a year on the City Council after he was appointed in 2013 to complete an unexpired term. Martin said it was not the right time to run, but he will remain active in community life through volunteer work.
Moss, a longtime council member who was elected to an at-large seat under the former local voting system, now faces two other people.
They are Dr. T.J. Morgan, a chiropractor and businessperson who has served a decade as president of the Chesapeake Beach Civic League, and Joash Schulman, an attorney and businessperson who has held leadership roles with community organizations such as the Central Business District Association and is the chairperson of the city wetlands board.
Schulman grew up near Detroit, but did not see opportunities there when he completed his studies and graduated law school in 2005. He worked for a firm in Washington D.C. before discovering Virginia Beach while attending a wedding. It led to a job opportunity here practicing real estate and corporate law at a firm in Town Center.
He became involved in business and community organizations, including leadership roles with the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Virginia Beach Vision, which he serves as vice president. He continues to practice law and serves as managing partner of Town Center Office Suites. He and his family live in Thoroughgood.
“I love the city of Virginia Beach, and I want our children to find the same enjoyment, fulfillment and prosperity from being a part of this community that I have,” he said.
Schulman said his volunteer and community work will help him hit the ground running on council. “I think people know me as a calm, steady voice in the room and somebody who is not afraid to lead,” he said. “The best leaders are listeners.”
Campaign priorities include a focus on the environment and the economy, such as supporting sustainable growth and redevelopment and providing opportunities to keep young people and veterans here. He supports education, including connecting students and the business community, as well as working to retain teachers and administrators
Morgan is a chiropractor who owns a gym and wellness center — and he is a professional bodybuilder. He grew up in Bayside and graduated Kempsville High School.
“I love my community and feel in my heart I want to step it up and be on City Council and represent my community on a bigger scale,” Morgan said during an interview.
He studied at Wake Forrest University and the University of Richmond before earning his doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University in Georgia, and he returned to Virginia Beach to start his practice in 1993.
“I feel like, whether it anyone’s fault or not, but this corner of the city has not always been a high priority,” Morgan said.
Issues in his campaign including focusing on decisions about how taxes are spent on infrastructure projects and supporting small businesses, job creation and public safety, which he called the “first priority” during a speech kicking off his campaign.
“I just want to continue to make recurrent flooding and stormwater rise a high priority and to promote a pro-business environment in our district,” Morgan said.
Moss, elected to an at-large seat on the council under the former voting system, wished Martin well during an interview.
“It’s the people’s seat it not mine,” he said. “The people will have a choice, and I’ve always been a believer in competition, so the people will have a choice and the campaign will go on.”
Moss plans to run on his record. “I think it’s a solid record of representing the people’s interests ahead of the special interests.”
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