Unofficial Hampton Roads Results Show School Tax Opposition

Unofficial results showed strong opposition to proposed school-funding sales tax increases across the region: Norfolk voters rejected the measure 56% to 44%, Newport News voters opposed it 62% to 38% with partial precincts reporting, and Portsmouth results also showed substantial opposition. In Portsmouth’s at-large City Council race, Vernon Tillage Jr. and Lisa Lucas-Burke led, while Vice Mayor Bill Moody and Mark Whitaker were separated by just 63 votes, with ballots still outstanding. Norfolk incumbents Mamie Johnson and John “JP” Paige led their competitive council races, and most Virginia Beach incumbents on the ballot were ahead; Janet Byrnes led District 4 incumbent Amelia Ross-Hammond. Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones won reelection with 65% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Regional voters also cited the cost of living and local and national issues as reasons for voting, and results remain unofficial pending certification.