Portsmouth City Council Announces Four Finalists for Interim Mayor

Strategic Insights -

The Portsmouth City Council has identified four candidates for an interim mayor, including Vice Mayor Charles B. Whitehurst Sr., Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas, former Vice Mayor Bernard Griffin, and Bishop Curtis E. Edmonds Sr. Following a closed meeting, Councilman Bill Moody Jr. announced the finalists, who will be publicly interviewed next week. The council plans to appoint a successor to serve until a special election on November 2, which will determine the winner of the remainder of outgoing Mayor James Holley's term.

Key Takeaways:

  • The four finalists for interim mayor are Vice Mayor Charles B. Whitehurst Sr., Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas, former Vice Mayor Bernard Griffin, and Bishop Curtis E. Edmonds Sr.
  • The council will hold public interviews with the finalists at 7 p.m. on Monday in council chambers, which will be televised on Portsmouth Channel 48.
  • Council members Vice Mayor Whitehurst and Councilwoman Psimas are willing to give up their council seats to take the appointment, which would trigger another appointment and special election to fill the vacancy.
  • The interim mayor will serve until a special election on November 2, which will determine the winner of the remainder of outgoing Mayor James Holley's term.
  • Councilman Bill Moody Jr. announced the finalists after a closed meeting, in which council members discussed the selection process.
  • Council members will appoint a successor to serve until the special election on November 2, which will determine the winner of the remainder of outgoing Mayor James Holley's term.

Statistics:

  • The special election to determine the winner of the remainder of outgoing Mayor James Holley's term will take place on November 2.
  • The term of outgoing Mayor James Holley runs until June 30, 2012.
  • Vice Mayor Whitehurst has stated that there has been "a clarion cry" from people in the community who think he should be mayor.
  • Councilwoman Psimas has stated that she would be the "working mayor" that residents want, someone who is respected regionally with Hampton Roads' leaders.

Sources:

  • The Virginian-Pilot, July 15, 2011, "Portsmouth officials consider interim mayor"
  • The Virginian-Pilot, July 13, 2011, "Portsmouth voters recall Mayor James Holley"