SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The City of Suffolk looks to be getting a new mayor.
Four seats were up for grabs in Suffolk. Residents voted to fill the mayor’s seat, two city council positions, and a school board position.
Four mayoral candidates were on the ballot: Incumbent Linda Johnson, city councilman Mike Duman, Brian Bass and Vanessa Harris.
With 100% of polling places reporting their ballots, Duman led with 41.8% of the vote. Johnson came in second with about 29.4% of the vote. Bass and Harris came in with 17.1% and 11.7% respectively.
Johnson has been mayor since 2006 and she’s also the city’s first female mayor.
Although Duman held onto the lead throughout the evening, he wasn’t celebrating a win as of late Tuesday night. At the time, he said there was likely a significant number of absentee ballots that haven’t been counted yet so he’s closely watching and waiting.
He also said he was encouraged by the results at that time.
“I’m cautiously optimistic. I’m pretty confident based on the numbers but I still believe it’s still a little to early to actually call it,” he said. “Just the overwhelming support that it appears that I have across the city is most appreciative and I plan on moving the city forward.”
Johnson told 10 On Your Side she was also closely watching the numbers and although she was behind in the race, she said there were still votes to be counted.
“Whatever the outcome, I am extremely proud of my time as mayor of this great city,” she said in a statement.
More votes are expected to be counted in the coming days.
Other races
Two candidates vied for a city council seat in the Nansemond Borough: Lue Ward, Jr. and Courtney Wolfe.
Three people ran for a city council seat in the Whaleyville Borough, as well: Turkey Man Williams, Curtis Milteer, Sr., and Michael Britt.
Two candidates were listed for the Nansemond School Board seat: Judith Brooks-Buck and Andy Hilton.
Suffolk election officials reported a small technical issue with a ballot machine earlier in the day. The power issue impacted a machine in the Holland precinct. The issue was corrected quickly, and voters were able to cast their ballots without further interruption.
10 On Your Side’s Anita Blanton visited two polling locations in north Suffolk. An election volunteer said their polling location hadn’t seen long lines since the first hour of voting. They credited early voting for the short lines.
Anita Blanton also interviewed Suffolk residents about the critical issues that shaped their votes on Election Day. These issues included encouraging economic revitalization and development, honoring the area’s rich history, and protecting the environment.
Polls in Virginia opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m. See Live results from the Suffolk races on the Nov. 3 ballot below: