Brown-Yearling is a community health advocate who desires to “challenge the status quo and support initiatives that address the overarching concerns of health care disparities and education” among her other priorities. She advocates for well-resourced schools and has partnered with the Women’s Center at Tidewater Community College to volunteer for the Women Inspiring Self-Empowerment (WISE) program to mentor a student who desires to work in healthcare and improve their leadership skills. Brown-Yearling also serves on the Advisory Board of Respiratory Care.
This is the first time Brown-Yearling has run for office, but she serves as an advocate for racial justice as a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and was selected to serve on Sentara Diversity and Inclusion Council at Sentara Leigh as the Co-Chair for the Multicultural and Communications Committee. She also volunteers with the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc in their mission “to enable African Americans and others to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.”
As a councilor, Santiera Brown-Yearling pledges to maintain fiscal responsibility when evaluating city contracts and implementing programs promising to “be a good steward of your hard earned tax dollars.” Additionally, she supports local businesses and can be seen frequently promoting businesses through her social media pages.
Lastly, Brown-Yearling advocates for better public transportation, standing behind a “less stressful commute.” She hosts a variety of resources on her official website for those in need of transportation including options for the elderly as well as disabled peoples in the community. Implementing her service-driven leadership, she strives for “strong relationships with city staff, community leaders, and elected officials at every level to help resolve your issues and find innovative solutions for the challenges we face as a city.”
Brown-Yearling is running against Susan Vitale, Baxter Ennis, Lee Smith Jr, Karen Moultrie, John deTriquet, Jeff Bunn, Ella Porter Ward, Daniel Whitaker, Brian Economy, B.D. Knowles, and Amanda Newins.
Incumbent Susan Vitale has served on the Chesapeake City Council since July 1, 2018. She currently serves as a chair of Southside Network Authority for broadband. Vitale advocates for senior citizens, moving to increase the property tax abatement cap for seniors and has been working to equip South Norfolk with its own pharmacy and urgent care facility. Vitale was also in favor that the city consider looking into recycling drop-off locations instead of curbside service which makes recycling inequitable to those far from a center and those who have transportation.
Currently serving as the Chesapeake Hospital Authority, Baxter Ennis is a retired Army Veteran with a career in academic, political, defense and publishing positions. We were unable to find any information on Baxter’s political stances.
Les Smith Jr. served 28 years in the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Department despite their various crimes against the citizens they are sworn to protect. Smith wants safety to be the main focus in areas of transportation, schools, and the community as a whole. He values growing the economy by attracting more businesses as well as the growth of recreational and entertainment amenities. He wants to increase education and employment opportunities for all.
We were unable to find any information on Karen Moultrie.
Incumbent John deTriquet was first elected to City Council in 1994 and currently serves as Vice Mayor. With over forty years of medical and pediatric experience, deTriquet was appointed to the Board of Health by former Governor Bob McDonnell, where he served from 2010-2015. deTriquet was unanimously voted out by the Chesapeake City Council members in 2016 because "council members felt they wanted a change."
We were unable to find any information regarding Jeff Bunn’s politics.
Ella Ward has been a member of the Chesapeake City Council since 2006. She also served on the Chesapeake School Board from 2000 through 2008 and the Virginia Board of Education from 2003 through 2011. Despite her extensive background in education, we were unable to confirm where Porter stands on important issues like education and gun violence prevention. She does, however, support “balanced” growth and economic development of Chesapeake, education funding, public safety, and improved transportation infrastructure.
Republican Daniel Whitaker has been campaigning for Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, notorious for her love of guns, Attorney General Jason Miyares, who was called out by Senator Louise Lucas for gaslighting and firing members of the civil rights division, and Governor Glenn Youngkin, well known for “not getting it.” Whitaker wishes to promote small businesses and “develop a measured response for new residential development.” Mixing church and state, Whitaker presents himself as, “first and foremost a man of faith which sets the tone for all other personal aspirations.”
We were not able to find much information on first-time Independent candidate Brian Economy other than he centers his campaign on government transparency, fiscal responsibility, and levels of service.
Bayi Dee or “B.D.” Knowles is a retired member of the Marine Corps. After receiving a degree from Old Dominion University, Knowles went on to teach in the Portsmouth Public Schools and later opened his own preschool with his wife. Knowles focuses on enforcing a strong educational system, believing that it would aid in lowering crime and promoting economic growth. Knowles intends to help the police force with ensuring they are well paid and well equipped, despite their historical violence towards community members.
Former prosecutor Amanda Newins, is a civil and criminal litigation attorney. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Young Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar as well as the Women’s Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Chesapeake Bar Association as Vice President. Newins supports giving more money to police departments and is endorsed by the Chesapeake Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9.
Due to her advocacy for better public transportation, her strong position to address healthcare and educational disparities as well as racial issues, Santiera Brown-Yearling is a progressive choice for this year's election.