Councilwoman Hester, others to challenge Fraim

NORFOLK

Daun S. Hester, the first African American woman elected to the City Council and an advocate for neighborhood redevelopment and the public schools, plans to challenge Mayor Paul Fraim in the May 4 election.

Hester said Wednesday that she is circulating petitions to certify her name on the ballot and will make a formal announcement about her intentions next week.

It probably will be a tough battle for the former teacher who runs an educational consulting business. The city's six other council members have already said they support Fraim, who announced in November before a crowd of about 500 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott hotel that he is seeking re-election.

The challenge could also cost Hester her council seat. Once she files to run, city code calls for her to relinquish her council seat on June 30, City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko said. The council would then appoint a replacement to finish the remaining two years of Hester's term, Pishko said.

When he became the city's first elected mayor in nearly a century in 2006, Fraim had but token opposition. Now it appears with Hester joining the race that he will have three opponents.

At Tuesday's council meeting, 20-year-old Old Dominion University student Ryan Cooper said he also will challenge Fraim.

"Mr. Fraim, my name is Ryan Cooper, and I'm going to be running for the office of mayor," he said, drawing applause from the audience of several hundred people.

A fourth candidate, longtime council critic Daniel Montague, whom Fraim defeated easily in 2006, previously announced that he would run again.

Fraim said Hester has not told him that she is running.

"I've always respected Daun," he said. "If she does decide to run, I'm sure it will be a very vigorous campaign."

Hester is a Norfolk native and a graduate of Norview High School and Virginia State University. She was elected to the council in 1996 to represent Superward 7, which covers half the city. She has handily won re-election three times since.

She has led efforts to redevelop numerous neighborhoods, including Church Street, Park Place and Lamberts Point, and has advocated for youth development programs. She was on the board of the National League of Cities for two years.

Fraim, who is politically liberal and pro-business, is a hands-on mayor with deep financial pockets. He has wide support on the city's populous west side and in black precincts. Fraim has served on the council for nearly 24 years and has been mayor for nearly 16.

Councilman Paul R. Riddick said he supports the mayor. However, he said Hester running will make the race more interesting.

"We need a nice, spirited campaign," Riddick said. "We need to have many issues explored by these two seasoned elected officials."

Councilman Barclay C. Winn said he was disappointed when Hester told him she was running.

"I wish she'd rethink things," he said. "She has a lot of talent but not the skills to lead this city through the difficult period we have ahead."

Fraim raised more than $200,000 at one fundraising event in 2006. H is latest filing with the Norfolk registrar's office indicated he had about $5,800 left.

Fraim said he has been waiting to scout out his opposition before scheduling fundraising events.

Hester had roughly $10,000 in her council re-election account, most of it raised in an annual golf tournament she hosts with Commissioner of Revenue Sharon McDonald. Much of that money came from the city's business establishment, including Judy Boone Realty, Thomas G. Johnson Jr., Metro Machine Corp. and Riverview Development.

"I think she's going to lose a lot of that financial support if she runs against Paul," Winn said.

Pilot writer Meghan Hoyer contributed to this story.

Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com