CHESAPEAKE — About a dozen candidates running for constitutional officer positions, the Chesapeake School Board and the Virginia House of Delegates had a brief opportunity to discuss their priorities and respond to voter questions at a Thursday candidate forum.
The forum was hosted by the Women’s Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake at City Hall.
Sheriff
One of the most contentious races in Chesapeake is between Wallace Chadwick and current Sheriff Dave Rosado, who lost to Chadwick in the June Republican primary and is running as a write-in candidate.
Rosado, who took over in November, touted his more than 20 years working all areas of the sheriff’s office, including the jail and courts. He also emphasized his expansions of the school resource program, anti-bullying initiatives and engagement with seniors.
He said it ultimately “comes down to experience versus on-the-ground training.”
Chadwick, a police lieutenant and Marine veteran, said he’s running to change the “system,” which he’s previously likened to a “good ol’ boys network” since only three sheriffs have been elected in Chesapeake’s history.
He said he’d build on the successful programs in place but also focus on promoting a diverse office and implement the 21st Century Policing standards that were adopted under former President Barack Obama — a framework that focuses on trust, legitimacy, policy oversight and increased training for law enforcement.
Throughout the campaign and at the forum, both have alleged dirty politics from each other’s supporters.
Commonwealth’s attorney
Matthew Hamel is seeking reelection as Chesapeake’s top prosecutor as a Democrat. His opponent is Republican David Mick, a former Chesapeake assistant and deputy commonwealth’s attorney who now works as an assistant attorney general for Virginia.
Hamel said he could lean on his record, touting a 95% conviction rate for his office, which he described as a major feat since inheriting a backlog of roughly 7,000 felony cases. Hamel, a former City Council member, said he created an elder abuse task force, and emphasized he had award-winning staff in his office.
Mick boasted “a career dedicated to criminal law,” adding there’s a need for a better prosecutor because the city faces a rise in violent youth crime and property crime. He emphasized a need to expand recidivism programming and improve outreach beyond the campaign season. Mick noted his appointment from Gov. Glenn Youngkin to the Virginia Board of Juvenile Justice, where he serves as chair.
House of Delegates
Democrat Karen “Kacey” Carnegie and Republican Mike Lamonea will compete for the District 89 seat, one of the most competitive in the House of Delegates. Republican incumbent Baxter Ennis announced his retirement in February.
Carnegie did not attend Thursday’s forum, which Lamonea noted in his remarks. The Chesapeake School Board member said he would support Youngkin’s attempts to eliminate the car and gas taxes. Lamonea emphasized more parental choice in education, the expansion of career centers and keeping “biological boys out of girls’ sports and out of their locker rooms.”
Lamonea, asked about Medicaid expansion, said it should be done “in the right way and the right cost effectiveness with the right fiscal responsibility.”
Republican incumbent Jay Leftwich faces a challenge from Democrat Rodney Nickens, a political newcomer, in District 90. Leftwich highlighted some of his legislation, including upgrading the 911 system and capping the cost of insulin.
Leftwich was asked how to help Chesapeake balance the need for growth and its agricultural heritage. He referenced a transfer of development rights program he’s pushing for that keeps higher density development out of rural areas.
Nickens said it’s time for a new generation of leadership and fresh, new faces to help bring down the cost of housing.
“The status quo is not working for working families,” he said.
Candidates for House Districts 84, 91 and 92 did not attend the forum.
School Board
School Board member Daniel Stahler faces a challenge from Amanda Qullin, an assistant professor at Old Dominion University.
Stahler, appointed to the board in June, said he would prioritize “protecting girls sports” and give teachers more of a voice. He’d also like to expand career and technical opportunities and retention efforts.
Qullin supports expanding and better advertising technical career opportunities for students. She also suggested creating the equivalent of a college faculty senate but for K-12 teachers, to boost their voice.
Commissioner of Revenue
Chesapeake Commissioner of the Revenue Victoria Proffitt, a Republican, will face Democrat Jennifer Naperala.
Proffitt touted more than 35 years in finance-related roles and her expansion of senior and veteran tax programs. She also said during her time, the city faced around 6,000 delinquent accounts, but that it’s now down to around 1,000.
Naperala said she’d work to improve transparency and explore fresh new revenue sources to help reduce tax burdens for residents and businesses while coming in “on time and under budget.”
Treasurer
Republican Wendy Roenker and Democrat Corrie A. Kring are vying for city treasurer.
Both have spent time in the office. Kring said she wants to modernize the office, increase transparency and boost staffing. Roenker, who serves as counsel to Treasurer Ben White, credited herself with working directly on ongoing tax modernization.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com