HAMPTON, Va. — In a tightly packed Hampton City Council race, nine candidates are all vying for three open seats. This includes three incumbents: Hope Harper, Chris Bowman and Billy Hobbs.
They will face off against six challengers: Carolyn Campbell, Randy Bowman, Janice Richison, LaToya Fleming, Whalan McDew and Aaron Weaver.
13News Now reached out to all of the candidates to learn more about their positions before Election Day on Nov. 5. Here's what they had to say:
Hope Harper
Harper is no stranger to Hampton City Council. She is one of three incumbents all looking to get re-elected as citizens voted for her in a Special Election, defeating Randy Bowman to replace Michelle Ferebee in 2022.
If re-elected, Harper said her top priorities for City Council included offering more opportunities for youth and families, lowering gun violence and adding more employment to the city.
"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."
Chris Bowman
Chris Bowman is another incumbent looking to get a spot on Hampton City Council. Elected in 2020, Bowman spent 32 years in Department Director-level positions at Eastern State Hospital and Virginia Peninsula Community College and a Virginia licensed nursing home administrator.
Bowman also was censored by Hampton City Council back in 2023 after Bowman admitted to paying a prostitute for oral sex in 2022. A criminal complaint then said a man then stole Bowman's phone and extorted him out of $5,000.
Bowman has since publicly apologized to the City of Hampton and to fellow city council members.
If re-elected, Bowman said his top priorities for City Council included increasing business opportunities across Hampton, reducing the rate of homelessness and adding more affordable housing.
"Under our time we've laid the groundwork for the development of the old Lincoln park site, the old Quality Inn site, several other similar sites, and the construction of that takes 14 -16 months," he said. "In the meantime we just try to keep addressing this issue the best we can, and not take our foot off the gas pedal. I'm committed to other projects as well for this same issue."
Aaron Weaver
Aaron Weaver was raised in Hampton and defines himself as an advocate, leader and change agent. He graduated from Hampton University and shortly then after took a management position at a telecommunications company, and a position with the city's citizen contact center.
If elected, Weaver said his top priorities for City Council included adding to the infrastructure of the city, stopping gun violence and adding integrity to City Council.
"Everyone has their first why and I'll tell you mine," he said. "I went to City Council where we all fought against the stop-gap measure for the HRBT project and they [councilors] heard everyone's explanations, but they still did what they wanted to do. They weren't listening to the citizens at all. I don't want to be like that, and I want to make sure that it will never be like that again."
Randy Bowman
Randy Bowman was raised in Hampton and graduated from Norfolk State University. He currently owns two businesses including 'Bowman’s Soul N the Wall' and 'I Scream U Scream' in Hampton.
If elected, Bowman said his top priorities for City Council included adding more affordable housing, attracting more businesses to Hampton and raising employment.
"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."
Janice Richison
Janice Richison is originally from Washington and traveled to Hampton Roads for graduate school at Hampton University. Richison then spent 33 years as an educator for Math and Sciences. She is currently an assistant Principal at Lindsay Middle School in Hampton.
If elected, Richison said her top priorities for City Council included focusing on Hampton's environment with concerns to flooding, adding more public safety measures and creating more STEM-focused jobs to Hampton.
"My goal is to incorporate more STEM, but not just for pre-K through 12, but beyond that, and making sure that our students have somewhere to go to work once they graduate in the field of STEM, as well as Hampton University students," Richison said. "We should be trying to keep our talented people here in the city, and then we will feel the benefits first hand in our technology and environment."
Whalan McDew
Whalan McDew was born in North Carolina, but was raised in Hampton. McDew is a graduate of Old Dominion University and is an Army veteran after serving for six years. McDew is also President of Do Gooders of Hampton Roads and a chairman with Pretty in Pink Women's Empowerment.
If elected, McDew said his top priorities for City Council included focusing on the partnerships between non-profits and the city of Hampton, improving public safety and adding more affordable housing.
"We have too many citizens in the city of Hampton that are not able to afford homes and the rental structure is just not what it used to be," he said. "That would have to be a collaborative effort between the city and the housing community - something we all have to come together on. We should start with our older neighborhoods who truly need to be revitalized and not forgotten."
LaToya Fleming
LaToya Fleming was born in Hampton Roads, and said she considers the city of Hampton as her home. Fleming served in the Army for eight years, and was deployed on two tours including Iraq and Afghanistan. She is currently a logistics analyst.
If elected, Fleming said her top priorities for City Council included: supporting military families across Hampton, adding more affordable housing, and increasing public safety measures.
"I would like for our children to be involved with certain things like a neighborhood watch," she said. "We are going to use this as a foundation to create family unity, and use our local resources. I want our children to take care of our elderly, and our elderly to be role models for our children. No family should ever feel afraid to live here, and if I have a say, I won't let them be afraid."
Special Election: Three candidates, one seat
Hampton residents will also be voting in a special election, with the winning candidate serving a shortened, two-year term. This seat will fill the remainder of council member Jimmy Gray’s term, which will end Dec. 31, 2026.
There are currently three challengers for this position: Jeannie Belgrave, Chelsea Greenwood, and Michelle Ferebee.
Michelle Ferebee
Michelle Taylor Ferebee was raised in Hampton, and is no stranger to Hampton City Council. Ferebee served on an interim one-year basis in 2022. She graduated from the College of William and Mary, and has had a 40-year career with NASA.
If elected, Ferebee said her top priorities for City Council included improving livability in the city of Hampton, adding more technology and innovation and focusing on coastal resilience.
"Ever since I've been alive my parents instilled in me a need for community service," she 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."
Chelsea Greenwood
Chelsea Greenwood defines herself as a Hampton mom who has waited on tables, helped people behind the counter in retail, and is now a fitness trainer at CrossFit Fort Monroe. She graduated from Virginia Peninsula Community College, but now wants a seat on City Council.
If elected, Greenwood said her top priorities for City Council included adding transparency to City Council, providing strong leadership and lowering gun violence across Hampton.
"I got tired of saying, 'someone has to do something, someone has to step up.' So I decided to stop complaining and actually do something about it!" said Greenwood. "I want to get rid of some of the red-tape so many small businesses have to face when trying to come to Hampton, and I want clear communication between the people who live here and the people in charge of making this city great."
Jeannie Belgrave
Jeannie Belgrave is originally from Florida, but now calls Hampton her home. Belgrave is an Air Force veteran, a former chaplain, and a regulatory specialist. She is also the only Spanish-speaking candidate in the race.
If elected, Belgrave said her top priorities for City Council included uplifting education programs in Hampton, expanding on public safety and becoming a team player for the city.
"I emphasize team because selling yourself just for yourself is not fair for what the city council is. I'm a peaceful person, I'm a human, I know how to listen, and I do my best," she said. "I want voters to really understand that if they vote for me, I am really working for them. I will also listen to my colleagues and think about what really is the best way forward."
13News Now reached out to candidate Carolyn Campbell who declined an on-camera interview, and to Billy Hobbs, who did not respond to interview requests.