VIRGINIA BEACH — Aaron Rouse, a Democrat who will soon complete his first term on the Virginia Beach City Council, will face Republican Kevin Adams, a retired naval officer and businessperson, in a special election for District 7 in the Virginia State Senate.
The special election will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10, and the winner will complete the unexpired term of Sen. Jen Kiggans, a Republican who on Tuesday, Nov. 8, was elected to represent the Virginia Second Congressional District.
Kiggans announced her resignation from the Virginia General Assembly would be effective at the end of the year, according to The Washington Post.
Both Adams and Rouse had said they were running for the new District 22 seat in the Senate on the ballot in November 2023. That new district is a result of redistricting following the 2020 Census – though the special election in January deals only with the existing District 7 seat, which includes parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The special election means it is possible that a rematch between the candidates could happen next fall in the new district.
Rouse announced his candidacy in the special election during an announcement on Monday, Nov. 14, that was posted online by WAVY-TV. During his remarks, he said he was born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach by a single mother.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in Virginia Beach and our commonwealth,” Rouse said. “And now more than ever, leadership matters. I’m running for state senate because I understand the challenges families across Norfolk and Virginia Beach are facing. I understand these challenges because I lived them.”
Rouse is a former professional football player who founded a nonprofit charity. He first ran for public office four years ago, winning an at-large seat under the former local voting system here. He planned to challenge Mayor Bobby Dyer in 2020, though he withdrew due to the challenges of campaigning during the pandemic. Dyer won reelection.
This year, Rouse announced he would not seek reelection to the Virginia Beach City Council because he planned to the run for state senate. Jennifer Rouse, a college professor and his wife, won election to represent the new District 10 seat earlier this month.
“Everyone thinks the pandemic is over, and, yes, we have done a solid job mitigating the effects healthwise,” Aaron Rouse said Wednesday, Nov. 23, in an interview. “Businesses are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. Families, our children, our seniors.”
He said he would work to keep costs low and for a platform for businesses to “make it back.”
Other campaign priorities including supporting education and teachers, such as with resources and modernization, and engaging youth and protecting the environment.
A key effort for the upcoming General Assembly session would be on the issue of abortion rights.
“I 100-percent support a woman’s right to choose what’s best for her,” Rouse said.
Among those with Aaron Rouse during his announcement for the special election was U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, the Democrat whom Kiggans defeated in the congressional race.
Kiggans, in turn, has endorsed Adams.
Adams retired as a lieutenant commander from a 26-year naval career begun as an enlisted person before founding a small business, which he has run for 15 years.
Campaign priorities for Adams include education and workforce training, improved healthcare and training for veterans and lowering taxes, according to his website. Adams also said support for law enforcement will be a priority if he is elected.
“You’re looking at the American Dream here,” Adams said on Tuesday, Nov. 22. “I joined the Navy back in 1979 right out of high school. I had a wonderful Navy career. After that naval career, I started a small business with my family.”
He said he wants to make sure all Americans have the opportunity to enjoy the avenues he has had in his life.
“Maybe somebody might want to go to college, maybe learn some skills,” he said. “I want to make sure all of those opportunities are available.”
City politics has crept into the senate race, with Mayor Bobby Dyer and Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson joining with Republican state Dels. Glenn Davis and Karen Greenhalgh on Tuesday, Nov. 22, to endorse Adams. Dyer, who has clashed with Rouse over policy matters at City Hall, in a statement said Rouse had criticized law enforcement, adding that this is “disqualifying.”
During an interview, Dyer said Adams would support law enforcement and that he knows how to work effectively with others.
“He is the obvious choice, as far as I’m concerned, and I wholeheartedly endorse him,” Dyer said.
Dyer said his differences with Rouse on the council come down to philosophy.
“You’ve got to work collegially with everybody,” the mayor said.
“There’s so much we could do on a state level for public safety and support our police,” Greenhalgh said.
Rouse, during an interview, dismissed criticism by Dyer, and he said he supports police. “I am a proud supporter of law enforcement and first responders,” Rouse said, noting support for a step-pay plan for public safety personnel in the city.
Adams’ campaign platform describes him as “pro-life,” calling abortion as an “issue where we can find common ground.”
Women’s rights advocates arrived at the press conference at which Dyer and others endorsed Adams on Tuesday, Nov. 22, positioning themselves behind the candidate and public officials while they spoke with reporters in front of City Hall.
The advocates chanted loudly in support of choice.
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