VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Election Day has come and gone, but people living in Virginia Beach still have one local seat to fill: Virginia Beach City Council District 1.
Back in September, former Virginia Beach District 1 City Councilman Rocky Holcomb stepped in as Interim Sheriff.
"When I started here, I never imagined one day becoming the Sheriff. I've come to work every day and put in a good day's work," he told 13News Now at the time.
Now, the city is gearing up to elect his replacement. On the ballot starting November 29th are David "Hutch" Hutcheson, Teresa Gladney and John Napier.
Hutcheson is the city’s former fire chief. He served in various roles over the course of 35 years.
His campaign website says he was an original member of the Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team. During his time as Chief, he says on his website that he's proud of appointing the first LGBTQ liaison officer for the department, as well as the Implementation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for VBFD.
He also said his priorities are to continue "public safety excellence in Virginia Beach," fully funding public education, improving access to work force housing and affordable housing, providing access to mental health services and "protecting and preserving our open spaces." He said he also wants to seek funding to transform the "old railway/tide line."
According to Gladney's website, she grew up in Virginia in the Whitehurst Grove neighborhood and is the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. She describes herself as a grassroots activist and also the founder and CEO of Hampton Roads Disability Claim's Resource Center.
Gladney's website says she opposes tax increases and "wasteful spending." The 'issues' portion of her site also says she wants to address flooding, by lobbying to streamline the permit process to get mitigation efforts underway faster.
Napier grew up in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach and attended both Tidewater Community College and the College of William and Mary. He is now a professor at Regent University School of Law. Napier is also an attorney with Hanger Law.
According to his website, Napier wants to create new jobs, lower taxes, implement flooding mitigation measures. His website also says he wants to continue to support veterans and military members, as well as Virginia Beach Police. He also supports fully funding public education.
Early voting kicks off November 29th at the city’s Voter Registration and Elections Office in Building 14 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
Remember, you can only vote for the District 1 election if you actually live in the district. District 1 includes portions of Kempsville, Bellamy Manor and Lake Christopher.
It’s part of the city’s new 10-1 voting system, which replaced the old “at-large system." The new voting system has been a point of contention over the last year, but ultimately, a majority of citizens were in favor.
"There is overwhelming support among these respondents for keeping the 10-1 system. 81% indicated some level of support," said Dr. Kara Fitzgibbon, UVA Center for Survey Research Director after the city held multiple forums on the issue.
Voting rights groups previously told 13News Now they think it’s the best way to have a council that represents the people in each district.
"The 10-1 system in November of last year gave us the most diverse city council in the history of Virginia Beach," he said during a previous interview with 13News Now.
If you’re planning to vote by mail, you need to request a ballot by December 29th and Election Day is January 9th.
To hear from the candidates directly, the Hampton Roads Black Caucus is hosting a District 1 candidate forum Thursday, December 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. That will be at the Philippine Cultural Center of Virginia located at 4857 Baxter Rd.