HAMPTON, Va. — In this year’s election, nine candidates competed for three open spots on Hampton City Council, and another candidate was elected in a special race for a shortened term.
The race featured three incumbents: Hope Harper, Chris Bowman, and Billy Hobbs. They faced off against six challengers: Carolyn Campbell, Randy Bowman, Janice Richison, LaToya Fleming, Whalan McDew and Aaron Weaver. The election invited voters to simply choose up to three of the nine candidates.
With only provisional votes outstanding, Harper led all candidates with 18.62% of the vote. Randy Bowman came in second, with 17.03%, and Carolyn Campbell was third, with 14.81%. The results are unofficial, until all outstanding ballots are counted and the race is certified.
Incumbent Harper is no stranger to Hampton City Council. She’s served on the board since she was first elected in 2022.
Now that she’s officially keeping her seat on the council, she’s focused on lowering gun violence and bringing more jobs to the city of Hampton. Harper also noted that offering more opportunities for youth and families is also of top priority.
"I just enjoy being with the community," she said. "I've really done well building those relationships with all different genres of people within this city so I'm very proud of that. My experience also sets me apart, as I've also been on several boards and commissions, and I feel like I've still got a lot of work that I want to do with this city, and I want to keep on developing those relationships."
Norfolk State Alum Randy Bowman was raised in Hampton. He owns two businesses in the city, including "Bowman’s Soul N the Wall" and "I Scream U Scream". Now with a seat on Hampton City Council, Bowman is focused on creating more affordable housing and raising employment by attracting new businesses to the city.
"I want to make Hampton a city where you can live, work, and play," he said. "It's important to make Hampton desirable again so that people want to live in this area. There also needs to be a focus on having more public safety because people will not want to live in an area that they do not feel safe in."
Carolyn Campbell was born and raised in Hampton. She attended Hampton City Schools and then pursued an associate degree in business administration from Virginia Peninsula Community College. She then attended Virginia Tech and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. She began working with the Chesapeake Bay team through her membership as part of the ELECA Stewardship group, has been a Boy Scout leader and volunteered for local projects like those at Gosnold’s Hope Park.
Special Election results
Hampton residents also voted in a special election to fill the remainder of Jimmy Gray’s term. The winning candidate will serve a shortened, two-year term ending on Dec. 31, 2026. With only provisional votes remaining, Michelle Taylor Ferebee received 57.67% of the vote, compared to 24.25% for Chelsea N. Greenwood and 18.07% for Jeannie E. Belgrave.
Ferebee is no stranger to Hampton City Council, having served a one-year interim term in 2022. The College of William and Mary alum was born and raised in Hampton and brings with her 40 years of experience with NASA.
Now that she’s secured a seat on the city council, Ferebee believes improving livability in Hampton is of top priority, along with adding more technology and innovation and building up coastal resilience.
"Ever since I've been alive my parents instilled in me a need for community service," Ferebee said. "I feel like I'm uniquely positioned to be in this role and I can hit the ground running because I already know how the city operates and I have community connections. I come from the women behind 'Hidden Figures,' and I have a determination to see my city through to better days."
