By: Marlene Dolla/VCU Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. — There were several competitive mayoral races in Virginia, and the results included some historic firsts and two races. A. to explain.

Democrat Alyia Gaskins ran unopposed for City of Alexandria First Black woman elected mayor. took 94% There are more than 65,000 votes citywide, according to unofficial Elections Department results. There were approximately 4,000 write-in votes. that before trustworthy Democratic nomination in three-way primary.

Gaskins was first elected to the Alexandria City Council in 2021. He replaces Democratic Mayor Justin Wilson, who is not running. to call a final third period.

Gaskins’ three-year term He begins Jan. 2 by focusing on what he said resonated most with voters during his candidacy: a vision of a safer, more affordable and more accessible Alexandria that works for everyone.

“I am committed to finding new ways to actively involve citizens in city decisions,” Gaskins told Capital News Service. “From maintaining sidewalks to affordable housing to supporting small businesses, we must leverage the collective creativity of our residents and key stakeholders.”

Regarding the historic nature of his election, Gaskins said he was proud of his story and that it gave him strength.

“I feel tremendous humility, incredible gratitude, as well as a deep sense of responsibility to fulfill the commitments I have made and meet our city’s expectations for a more equitable and just future,” Gaskins said.

Former Richmond and Henrico Health Department Director Dr. Danny TK Avula won the mayoral bid in 6 of 9 Richmond precincts, making up for a potential runoff. Avula won by 46% 97,000 votes were counted in a five-way race. Provisional vote totals have not been officially reported.

Richmond mayor-elect Danny Avula shares his perspective on the city

Avula is Richmond’s first Indian-American mayor and the first non-Black mayor in more than 20 years. axios.

Former 9th District Councilwoman Michelle R. Mosby came in second with 25%, Harrison N. Roday received 13%, 1st District Councilman Andreas D. Addison received 12% and Maurice X. Neblett received 3%.

Two-term Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney promises a smooth transition at joint session Nov. 6 press conference With Avula. Avula said he is ready to protect the people of Richmond and fight for justice and equality in light of the presidential election results.

Avula, a pediatrician was praised For his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, he took over a city full of dysfunction and inefficiency. He will assume personal responsibility to ensure that city government operates more effectively.

“I will leverage my career of executive-level public sector experience in solving complex problems,” Avula told Capital News Service.

Avula added that he will lead city agencies “with strategic and sustained actions that address our most serious challenges, while also promoting best practices and a positive public service vision.”

More than 200 miles away in Richmond, the winner of the Southwest mayoral race in Roanoke was announced just a day before the election results were officially certified.

Democratic Vice Mayor Joe Cobb won by 59 votes in the three-way race. Republican David A. Bowers, the city’s former mayor, was initially ahead, even declared victory. But later absentee ballots put Cobb ahead.

The deadline for mail-in ballots in the state was noon on Friday, Nov. 8. There were also 1,223 provisional ballots that needed to be counted, according to Nicholas Ocampo, Roanoke’s elections director and general registrar.

This is the first mayoral race to be held on the same day in Roanoke. recordOcampo stated.

“This process requires additional steps to verify each voter’s eligibility to vote at the polling place where they vote. “Our office will continue to carefully and diligently follow election laws and state guidelines to review each same-day registration application in preparation for (certification on Nov. 15),” he said.

Ocampo’s biggest takeaway from the 2024 election is “every vote counts.”

Bowers and Cobb each He garnered just over 37% of the nearly 41,000 votes counted. Council member Stephanie Moon Reynols received 25% of the vote.

The results were: close enough with qualify For the recount, which must be done within 10 days after the results are certified. The candidate must request this.

Cobb’s campaign priorities included transportation, education, community safety, housing and jobs. He will also be the first LGBTQ+ mayor to lead Roanoke.

Suffolk’s tight three-way race, 200 miles east of Hampton Roads, is also on the verge of a recount.

Incumbent Mayor Michael Duman maintained his lead over former Democratic Rep. Clinton Jenkins with 164 votes after all voting was completed. sort of. Candidate David Bosselman received just over 30% of the more than 52,000 votes.

Other mayors elected across Virginia include mayors in the cities of Chesapeake, Emporia, Fairfax, Hampton, Manassas, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

Chesapeake voters chose current Mayor Rick West over challenger Don J. Carey III by nearly a margin. 56% majority. stated by the West prioritiesschools, public safety, economic development, leadership and civility.

Emporia Mayor Carolyn S. Carey re-elected unrivaled. Carey was elected mayor for the first time in 2020, defeating the incumbent mayor Mary L. PersonShe is the first Black and first woman elected in the small city about 95 miles west of Hampton Roads.

Carey’s focus is on new jobs for the city and making it a regional destination.

In Hampton, Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray Jr. defeated retired fire captain Richelle D. Wallace. 70% received approximately 55,000 votes. Gray’s opinion He stated that his goal is to make Hampton “the city of choice for families, small businesses, entrepreneurs, entertainment and culture.”

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander, his challengers Thomas P. Leeman Jr. and parried Giovanni G. Dolmo as follows: 60% More than 82,000 votes were cast.

Alexander’s peak priority He stated that it is about “listening” in order to turn great ideas into best practices.

Incumbent Mayor of Portsmouth Shannon E. Glover accepted 50% The remainder of the vote despite strong objection from Vice Mayor Lisa L. Lucas-Burke. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, tried to rally support for her daughter, who received 40% of the vote.

Political newcomer Harold S. Carothers III received nearly 9% of the Portsmouth vote.

Virginia Beach Republican Mayor Bobby Dyer re-elected 41% More than 207,000 votes were cast in a five-way race. Challengers included Council Member Sabrina Wooten with 31%, John Moss with 17%, Chris Taylor with 8% and RK Kowalewitch with 2.5%.

Dyer’s stated best campaign priority Keeping city taxes at a minimum in Hampton Roads.

Fairfax Mayor Catherine S. Read defeats challenger Susan Hartley Kuiler 57% Out of 12,656 votes cast. Read’s campaign focus It is a desire to further the progress the city has made since the 2022 elections.

Here’s how Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger defeated challenger Xiao-Yin “Tang” Byrom: 57% It received more than 15,400 votes. Davis-Younger campaigned To foster a city where innovation, growth and community thrive simultaneously.

Local Virginia boards of elections absolute Certify election results by Friday, November 15.