PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — With 100% of polling places reporting early Wednesday morning, Shannon Glover was leading the Portsmouth mayoral race with 35.3% of the vote.

There are still more ballots that will be counted between Tuesday night and Friday. Mail-in ballots must be received by registrar’s offices by noon Friday.

Current Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe is not seeking reelection in 2020, and 6 candidates were on the ballot.

Mayoral race

Six candidates are poised to take the open seat this Election Day. Here are the results as of Wednesday morning:

  • Anthony “Tony” Goodwin – 11.8%
  • Donna Sayegh – 1.4%
  • Cliff Page – 2.2%
  • Danny Meeks – 28.7%
  • Shannon Glover – 35.3%
  • Paul Battle – 20.5%
WAVY.com November 8 Voter Guide

NOTE: Scroll down for more Portsmouth election results.

Whoever follows after John Rowe will be thrown into what has been a very eventful climate in the city.

Since Aug. 1, the city has seen criminal charges brought against some of its own public officials, its police chief placed on leave, the resignation of its city manager, and the firing of its city attorney. Its vice mayor was also at risk of losing her council seat.

In October, 10 On Your Side was at a mayoral candidates forum held at Roger Browns Restaurant and Sports Bar in Olde Towne — one of the many mayoral forums being held across the city. Only four of the candidates attended the forum.

One of the issues discussed is the city’s lack of a city manager since Dr. Lydia Pettis resigned in September.

Candidates were asked what qualities they would look for in her replacement. All four candidates stressed that they need a city manager to be a good communicator and cheerleader for the city.

Portsmouth casino

In addition to the mayoral race, Portsmouth residents also voted on the highly-debated casino gaming referendum. The state law allowing for such gambling to occur in five cities requires that a majority of voters in each of those cities approve of the plans via a referendum vote.

Plans for Rush Street Gaming to build a casino and hotel off Victory Boulevard appeared to garner a majority of voter’s support.

As of midnight, 100% of precincts were reporting with 66.7% in favor of the casino.

Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas has fought long and hard for a casino in her hometown.

“I am so excited. It has been a long time coming. It is about time… 20-plus years I’ve been working on it … started with a riverboat and I intermittently kept introducing the bill, introducing the bill even when I didn’t have any co-patrons of the bill because I realized the potential for economic development in the City of Portsmouth,” Lucas told WAVY.com Tuesday night.

The proposal in Portsmouth includes a phased approach that will begin with a casino and entertainment venue. The development will include a variety of restaurants, a sportsbook and other entertainment opportunities.

In response to the vote tally Tuesday night, Rush Street Gaming released a statement:

“Rush Street Gaming is excited that Portsmouth residents have approved the casino gaming referendum.  Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be a proud community partner, a great workplace, and a strong economic engine for Portsmouth and Hampton Roads. We thank the residents of Portsmouth, the City of Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Economic Development team for their confidence. We look forward to working with Portsmouth, The Virginia Lottery, and the Commonwealth of Virginia to introduce this dynamic new industry to the region.”

See live results from the Portsmouth races on the Nov. 3 ballot below:

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