Candidates Take the Stage: Newport News Mayoral Public Forum

Phil Hamilton: Direction and Public Record

Former Virginia Delegate Phil Hamilton decided to run for mayor because he feels Newport News is falling short of its potential and has lost sight of its residents.

• Hamilton's platform is heavily focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic development.

• Drawing on his career as a teacher, assistant principal, and school administrator, he plans to focus on supporting educators and improving school discipline.

• Hamilton has openly addressed his 2011 federal conviction for bribery and extortion. He served nearly eight years in federal prison and was released in 2019.

• Maintaining his innocence, Hamilton has long argued that his conviction was politically motivated. He claims the case stemmed from his strong opposition to certain education funding policies pushed by Democratic leaders at the time. Shortly after the conviction, Hamilton lost his seat to a Democratic challenger in what many viewed as a highly politicized environment

Mayor Phillip Jones: Building on Progress

Incumbent Mayor Phillip Jones is campaigning to keep building on the progress established during his first term.

• DEI Focus: Jones strongly supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including hiring practices that prioritize race over qualifications for certain positions.
• Music Festival Scandal: The mayor faced significant criticism for his involvement in a failed music festival that resulted in an estimated loss of over $3 million in taxpayer funds.
• Community Engagement: While acknowledging that the benefits of progress have not been felt equally by all residents, Jones urges citizens to become more actively involved in local government, stating that “it is not a spectator sport.”

Sharon Scott: Accessibility and Neighborhood Focus

Sharon Scott brings extensive local experience to the race, having served more than 20 years on the Newport News City Council before leaving office in 2022. She entered the mayoral race after residents expressed a desire for her return to leadership.

• Scott's core priorities include expanding housing opportunities, transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

• She aims to make City Hall more accessible to the public and foster greater communication between city leaders and residents.

• Scott emphasizes the importance of addressing everyday neighborhood concerns, stating that she knows "the pulse" and "the needs of the city".

• She advocates for equitable progress, arguing that improvements should benefit every neighborhood and not leave certain areas behind.

• She has openly criticized certain city expenditures, including the investment in the NOODLE Thinkers Convention.

Looking Ahead

As the candidates continue to share their visions, the decision will ultimately rest in the hands of the community. Voters will decide the Newport News mayoral race in the general election on Tuesday, November 3. Early in-person voting is set to begin on September 18 and will run through November 1.