VIRGINIA BEACH — A former deputy who sued former Sheriff Ken Stolle after he wasn’t rehired in 2021 for what he called political reasons is poised to run to be sheriff of Virginia Beach.
In February, a jury found that Stolle violated David Fowler’s rights to free association and awarded $10,000, according to media coverage. The jury did not find Stolle had violated Fowlers right to free speech, as also had been alleged in the suit, WAVY-TV reported.
Fowler is the husband of state Del. Kelly Fowler, a Democrat, and he claimed in a lawsuit that he wrongly lost his job after his wife’s campaign used a photo of him in a commercial. Stolle is a Republican, a former state senator and the longtime sheriff here until he retired this past year during a term. He and Kelly Fowler had butted heads.
Within days of the verdict, a filing with the state elections department shows, Fowler on Tuesday, Feb. 20, formed a campaign committee and plans to run as a Democrat. Fowler could not be reached for comment on Thursday, Feb. 29, as this edition of The Independent News went to press.
It is uncertain whether other Democrats plan to seek the nomination to the constitutional office, but, should Fowler become the nominee, he likely would face Sheriff Rocky Holcomb, who succeeded Stolle and plans to run in a special election this year to complete Stolle’s term.
Holcomb, who already was a chief deputy in the sheriff’s office, last year resigned from the District 1 seat on the City Council to become sheriff after Stolle retired. Holcomb is the presumed Republican nominee in the special election.
“It’s news to me,” Holcomb said on Thursday, Feb. 29, of Fowler forming a campaign organization.
“I’m excited about presenting my resume to the citizens of Virginia Beach,” Holcomb added. “The 33 years of exemplary service here in the sheriff’s office – I’m going to put that on full display, and I’m excited to share that with the citizens.”
David Fowler, while a sergeant in the sheriff’s office, was a candidate for the former Princess Anne District seat on the City Council in 2018 under the former local voting system.
However, he withdrew and backed another challenger to City Councilmember Barbara Henley, the incumbent who ultimately won and presently represents District 2.
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