Ed. — From the Sunday, Oct. 2, print edition.
VIRGINIA BEACH — Local races in Virginia Beach are nonpartisan, but political parties weigh in by endorsing, recommending or just noting the candidates of one flavor or another.
In a recent edition, Notebook listed candidates recommended by the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee for local races on the ballot this year.
The Republican Party of Virginia Beach is not endorsing or recommending specific candidates this year, but it is listing candidates with the GOP.
“We are not endorsing,” Bill Curtis, chair of the city committee, said during an interview on Tuesday, Sept. 27. “We have a sample ballot with Republicans on it.”
In some local races, there are two folks identified as Republicans running for the same seat.
For City Council, listed candidates are Rocky Holcomb in the District 1 special election, Elaine Fekete and Nanette Miller in District 2, Linwood Branch and Richard “R.K.” Kowalewitch in District 6, Rona Marsh and Chris Taylor in District 8, T.J. Morgan and John Moss in District 9 and Heidi Daniels in District 10.
For School Board, candidates are Alexis Gerdes and Amy Solares in District 2, Ken Lubeck in District 4, Mike Callan in District 6, David Culpepper in District 8, Carolyn Weems in District 9 and Kathleen Brown in District 10.
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce recently endorsed candidates for City Council in Virginia Beach, among other cities. In Virginia Beach, those endorsed are Rocky Holcomb in the District 1 special election, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond in District 4, Linwood Branch in District 6 and Joash Schulman in District 9.
“The candidates endorsed this year had responses that would support and improve the business climate for their respective cities,” the organization said in a statement.
Virginia Beach Professional Fire & EMS, Local 2924, has endorsed several candidates in the Virginia Beach City Council elections.
The endorsed candidates are Rocky Holcomb in the special election for the District 1 seat, Barbara Henley in District 2, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond in District 4, Linwood Branch in District 6, John Andrews in District 8 and Joash Schulman in District 9.
The Virginia Beach Hospitality Political Action Committee has endorsed several candidates for the City Council in Virginia Beach.
The candidates are Rocky Holcomb in the special election for District 1, Barbara Henley in District 2, Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond in District 4, Linwood Branch in District 6, Chris Taylor in District 8, Joash Schulman in District 9 and Heidi Daniels in District 10.
The PAC supports candidates with positions consistent with its goals — positive growth of the hospitality industry — and the work of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association. The PAC is an independent organization from the association.
“These candidates’ positions align with our priorities and are deemed knowledgeable regarding the needs of the hospitality industry,” the organization said.
The Virginia Beach City Workers Union, UE Local 111, has endorsed several candidates for City Council in Virginia Beach.
Those endorsed are Melissa Peck in the special election for District 1, M. Paul Telkamp in District 2, Worth Remick in District 6, John Andrews in District 8, Joash Schulman in District 9 and Jennifer Rouse in District 10.
The union in a statement discussed the need for collective bargaining. The group said it believes the candidates it has endorsed will support a resolution for collective bargaining if they are elected.
“[W]e can win a new majority on the Virginia Beach City Council that supports fairness, dignity, living wages and a voice at the table for city workers through our union,” said Terry Green, chairperson of the union. “The city has a chance to make history with this election.”
The Independent News’ 2022 Virginia Beach Voter Guide is available in full online at this link.
It includes Q&As with all candidates seeking City Council and School Board seats in Virginia Beach under the 10-district local voting system.
Some remaining print copies of the Sunday, Sept. 4, print edition containing the full guide may be found on some of our secondary racks around town.
Political Notebook runs announcements of endorsements, events and other items. Reach jhd@princessanneindy.com.
© 2022 Pungo Publishing Co., LLC
Your last forum at Creeds Ruritan Clubhouse which You helped sponsor, E Fekete blurted out lies about the farm in Southampton county being sold to developers again. She also fabricated a story saying her father was a Farm Bureau member and served on the Board. My Father never bought Insurance of any kind from Farm Bureau, let alone serve on the board. Just thought I would let You know she assumed this would appeal to the Farm Bureau Sponsor.