VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Three candidates are vying for a vacated Virginia Beach city council seat as part of a special election Tuesday.
Former fire chief David Hutcheson, entrepreneur Teresa Gladney and attorney John Napier are competing to represent the city's first district.
The district sits in the western part of the city and touches part of the Chesapeake city line, Indian River Road and Providence Road. The area, which represents nearly 46,000 people, covers parts of Kempsville, Bellamy Manor and Lake Christopher.
It's one of 10 new voting districts adopted by city leaders last year.
Hutcheson is the former Virginia Beach fire chief. In 2022, he retired from the department after 35 years.
Gladney runs a non-profit.
Meanwhile, Napier is a business and real estate attorney.
In September 2023, former city councilman Rocky Holcomb vacated the position to replace retired sheriff Ken Stolle.
It marked the second time this term that the council seat had to be filled.
In 2021, City Council members appointed Holcomb after Jessica Abbott resigned earlier that year.
Polls remain open until 7 p.m. Voters must live in the city's first district.
The winner will finish out Holcomb's terms, which ends on Dec. 31, 2024.
The seat will appear on the ballot in November for the general election.