Underwood new Norfolk commonwealth's attorney

By Michelle Washington
The Virginian-Pilot
© March 11, 2009

NORFOLK

Prosecutor Greg Underwood will become the city's commonwealth's attorney, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's special election.

Underwood, who has served as a prosecutor for about 16 years, received 3,912 votes, or about 55 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results from the state elections board. He ran as a Democrat.

His opponent, Republican defense attorney John Coggeshall, received 3,147 votes, or about 45 percent of the vote.

About 7,000 people voted, according to the unofficial results.

The election filled the post vacated last year by Jack Doyle, who was appointed a Norfolk Circuit judge. Underwood's win makes him the city's first black constitutional officer since 1993.

As Underwood celebrated his victory Tuesday night, he thanked voters for trusting him with the top prosecutor's post.

"I will be firm, but I will be fair," he said.

Underwood said he would be sworn in as soon as the board of elections certified the results.

When he learned of Underwood's win, Coggeshall said, "We gave him a run for his money."

Underwood will serve until November, when he will run again for a full term. Coggeshall said he would have to think about whether he will run again.

Michelle Washington, (757) 446-2287, michelle.washington@pilotonline.com

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How to Get Elected for Local Office in Tidewater 101

Submitted by soonerfan on Wed, 03/11/2009 at 8:01 am.

To get elected to a local office in Tidewater such as Sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney, City Council, one key thing is crucial. You must seek the approval of the Virginia Pilot's Editorial Board. Without the blessing of this all knowing assembly of intellectuals, with their wealth of knowledge on the goings on in Tidewater your chances are doomed.

Possibly they should utilize their gifts to discover how to generate revenue for their floundering company.

Yay!

Submitted by ldysknzfn on Wed, 03/11/2009 at 7:40 am.

I am glad to see that Mr. Underwood won this election. He's a good man and he's fair. I believe he'll do a great job. I was disappointed in the number of voters who actually voted in this election. When I showed up to vote at my polling place at around 8:00am..I was only the 9th person to have voted so far. I guess the vast majority of voters only care about presidential elections. Why can't the numbers always be like that of this past year's presidential election?
Way to go Mr. Underwood! Here's wishing you a successful term in office!