VIRGINIA BEACH
Election Day is six months off, but the chances of anyone raising more cash in the race for mayor than Will Sessoms are fading. Fast.
Sessoms, a former vice mayor and bank president, has already collected about $400,000. His opponents have raised just more than $20,000 - combined.
"Money will be an issue," Sessoms said. "But, first of all, it's more than money. It's hard work, too."
This year's mayor's race has long been costly. Now it's getting crowded.
The election isn't until November, but four candidates are raising money to run and a fifth has announced his intentions. A sixth challenger said he is likely to run but refused to commit.
A review of the most recent campaign finance reports shows that, through March 31, Sessoms had already spent $50,000 - more than double what his declared opponents have raised. He still has $343,977 on hand.
The reports, some provided by the city registrar's office and others compiled by the
Virginia Public Access Project, also show that:
n John Moss, head of the Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance and a former councilman, has raised $5,336, of which he still has $1,568 to spend.
n Don Weeks, another former councilman, has raised $91 this year. Last year, Weeks had roughly $1,000 split between two political action committees, but he said this week that the PACs have been closed and nearly all the money has been spent.
n Meyera Oberndorf, a five-term incumbent who hasn't started actively asking for money, had a $16,150 balance at the end of March.
Her most notable contribution was $5,000 from Gateway Bank, which announced a month ago that it planned to move its corporate headquarters to a tower planned for Town Center. Gateway had already given Sessoms the same amount.
"If money determined elections, then Romney rather than McCain would be the Republican nominee and Allen rather than Webb (would) be in the U.S. Senate," Moss wrote in an e-mail.
Weeks, who launched a Web site for his run in 2006, said he can't compete "dollar-for-dollar" with Sessoms. Weeks said, however, that the election is still six months away and that challengers have time to win over voters who haven't started paying attention yet.
"It's a quiet time," Weeks said. "It's still very early in the campaign."
Candidates have until June 10 to file the paperwork to run.
Scott Taylor says he'll do just that.
Taylor, 28, is a former Navy SEAL who now runs Neptune Development, an Oceanfront real estate firm. A political newcomer, he said he wants to make a difference and thinks the mayor's chair is the most effective pulpit.
"I want to have the most influence as possible," said Taylor, who, like Weeks and Oberndorf, has a campaign Web site. "I don't want my voice drowned out."
Taylor, who said he will file his paperwork soon, may not be the last.
Rick "R.K." Kowalewitch, an Oceanfront developer, said he is leaning toward running, and that a final decision will be made in the next few weeks. Kowalewitch has run before, but he's never won.
"I pretty much have decided to run," he said, adding, "It is getting crowded."
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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I wonder......
how many Kempsville residents will vote for Moss when they remember his "lack of support" for their quality of life issues.....
Let's keep those "used to be" Council members just that....... USED to be.
What's Important?
So we have 2 developers, a tax-loving banker, and an outspoken citizen who is against government waste and abuse. Hummm. Let me think that one through. Election day I vote for Moss.
To Reid
Reid: You expect me to vote for Moss considering what a VBTA supporter did to me? We need fresh blood, not some anti-tax wingnut.
In general: I'm not too thrilled about what Sessoms did to transit back in 2001, but considering he wants light rail so badly, we'll get what we need out of him
need just one person
If we just get ONE person to run against the troll, she will lose! She only won the last two election because we were split!! She had about 2000 votes!! If anyone wants to really help the city, those who threw their hat in the ring need to pick ONE and back that person!! If anyone has a brain, they would know that is the ONLY way to beat the troll!!!! Think first, forget your pride-
Throwing your vote away
Frankly if you vote for anyone other than mayor Obendorf, your throwing your vote way. Sessoms has a chance to beat her (slime one a that) but none of the other three have a prayer... Mayor Obendorf has 40% of the VB vote and she hasn't put out a political sign in decades. Your dreaming if you think anyone can walk in unknown and win this race... JMO
Moss For mayor - slogan suggestion.
Possible campaign slogan:
If it is Spore you want to toss - vote for Moss!
... and what of more special-interest $$$ "representation"?
Want more Oceanfront concessions? Vote for Sessoms!
Big surprise - not! I'm voting for John Moss
Mayor Oberdorf has been a good representative of our city but I'd like to have us elect a new mayor. I hope we elect John Moss becuase we need leadership on Council focused on reducing government spending, lowering the tax burden for beach families (and singles) and improving the delivery of services and contracting. Mr. Moss has the right work experience to tackle such a task. He also has the presentation skills to deliver an effective message to do a good job promoting our city to others. John Moss has devoted many years of service to our city as a leader in the VBTA. Imagine how much more he can do for us as our Mayor. Please vote for John Moss. IMHO he is the best choice on the ballot.
Lower Real Estate Taxes
I really like Scott Taylor's position on the current state of real estate taxes in VB. The assessments of property values have been out of whack for a long time. A fresh take on the situation is long overdue and Taylor seems ready to make some necessary changes. 20 years is enough! Oberndorf and Sessoms are more of the same. Let's get someone motivated into office! Can't get more motivated than a SEAL.
HEY...
alexvb...you have some good ideas......where do you work??
Mayor Race=Change
Let's change people. This year is going to be different with the elections in November this year. Vote no for ObenSessoms. I vote for the NAVY SEAL Scott Taylor. We need fresh ideas, Hope everyone saw his sunday newspaper article. Weeks and Moss have no chance.
20 years is enough already!!!!
I was hoping just one person ran against Orbendorf. The last two times (only lived here 10yrs) she won with only about 2000 votes, combine the other two canidates in both and she lost! But we need one person (good person) I am not sure about former council members, we need new blood! She has done nothing for this city, she lied BRAC, gives our money away to her PET PROJECTS and the Sport Plex-nice going OrbenDORF-how much money did she waiste on that one?? Please, we need to get rid of her and some others on the council!! 20 years is enough! 1 year was enough for me!!
Vote for change!
The reason she always wins is because the mayor elections are typically in May, when only a small percentage of people are voting. This year, elections will be at the same time as General Elections meaning that all of the community will have the option to vote, not just business people. After reading up on all the canidates, I don't think who has the most money will matter!! I think the people of VA Beach are smart enough to vote on the principals and beliefs of the canidates, not their wallet size. I read up on Taylor, scotttaylor2008.com and like what he has to say. He is a breath of fresh air that this city needs. He will be an outsider looking in, which in this case I believe this is a big positive. Things have been run the same way for years. It is time to get w/the times and I think a fresh face and fresh ideas are what VA Beach needs. He definitely has my vote!!!
To johnh31265
You said:
"Remember the Houses TaxemDorf stole and gave to the NAVY!!!"
Please give one example of any house that was stolen and given to the Navy.
Ding ding
"For the life of me (and O'Reilly), I can't figure out how she stays in office."
If I ever heard an endorsement for the current mayor; this is it.
Anyone who gets the Navy out
has my vote. We have to stop being a federal welfare state and stand on our own. Military bases are meant to kickstart poor economies. We are not poor and the base can be better utilized for either a Nuclear Power plant, International Airport or Supercollider. We need to get connected to the world, EU, Brazil, India, China and do global business. I will vote for who has American vision to do big things, not a tool for local developers or the Navy. Being an American, I am quite appalled the military dictates terms to VB civilians. I will run myself when I am over 40...
Never Happen
As long as there are more than one person running against Opensore, then no one will beat her. Glen Cory had the best chance to beat her until the independent stepped up and took votes away.
The way the council and mayor allow their employees to be treated is just disgusting. I did my job and was injured by a drunk driver. To this day, I continue to be injured by the treatment I, and all the other injured city employees receive from the lack of action by city council. Call them and ask them what they are doing about the worker's comp issue. They'll tell you they are studying it. Ask them who is studying it and they can't tell you. There is no action being taken and the employees continue to be treated like garbage because the council and the mayor JUST DON'T CARE. I know from personal experience.
Remember to Vote Out the Council!!!!
Remember the Wasted Money TaxemDorf spent on BRAC!!!
Remember the Houses TaxemDorf stole and gave to the NAVY!!!
Remember the False real Estates TAX increases TaxemDorf supports!!!
Remember all the GREED and STUPIDITY surrounding Taxemdorf and council!
VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!!
Virginia Beach Needs New Ideas... The Old Ideas Did Not Work!!!!!
Predictions
1st Place: Oberndorf
2nd Place: Sessoms
3rd Place: Taylor
4th Place: Weeks
5th Place: Moss
6th Place: RK
I can't wait!
It’s an Election Not Auction! Sessoms has nothing to do but raise donations from Special Interest folks while Mayor Oberndorf still has a city and budget to tend to.
We’re lucky to have her experience and sound judgment. Sessoms: More oceanfront tax dollar spending and more “investments” like the 31st hotel, BRT (huge buses), Sportsplex and anything else the hoteliers desire… Here the whooshing sound? That’s your tax dollars headed toward Atlantic Ave.
Already scared.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. From tax-em-dorf to sessoms. Nothing will change. Developers rule!
Anyone else please
I think it's about time someone ran against the current mayor. For the life of me (and O'Reilly), I can't figure out how she stays in office. A blind monkey could do a better job of running this city and managing its finances than Mayor Taxemdorf...
Don't waste the money but give it to charity,
because Myra has pull baby!