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Counting's done and Mayor-elect Sessoms can finally exhale
By Deirdre Fernandes, The Virginian-Pilot - 11/9/2008
VIRGINIA BEACH
Finally, Will Sessoms was able to relax. The absentee ballot count confirmed that he had indeed beaten Mayor Meyera Oberndorf.
"I want to get the election behind me," the regional bank president said Friday after taking down Virginia Beach's first elected mayor and a one time political ally.
The count: Sessoms 74,305 votes to Oberndorf's 67,462.
His hefty war chest, a switch to November for elections and the trickle down of the national "change" message all seemed critical to helping Sessoms defeat the 20-year mayor.
Sessoms raised more than $603,000, about seven times Oberndorf's total, and used it for TV ads, street signs and payment for poll workers. And his campaign reached thousands of voters who cast a ballot in the mayoral race for the first time because it was November, instead of May.
Oberndorf took a risk pushing for fall elections and it cost her, said Brian Kirwin, a political consultant. She relied on her high name recognition, but did only a sparse amount of advertising.
"November did her in," Kirwin said.
Sessoms said he benefit ed from the electorate's general desire for change.
"I heard it numerous times," he said.
How significant this transfer of leadership is will be determined in the coming months.
"I think there will be a significant style change," said Eddie Bourdon, an attorney who represents developers in front of the City Council. "But in terms of a big change of direction, it's not."
While Oberndorf and Sessoms agreed on key issues, such as the need for public-private partnerships and expanding the city's commercial tax base, he likely will be in front of issues such as investing in projects, despite the economic slowdown.
Bourdon expects Sessoms to push for regional cooperation on transportation. The mayor-elect has better relationships with leaders of other cities and with General Assembly members, Bourdon said.
"Maybe there'll be more money and more projects (from the state)," Bourdon said. "Or fewer missteps."
Regionalism is high on Sessoms' agenda. Before he takes office Jan. 1, Sessoms said, he plans to meet with council members, local military leaders, executives of the city's top businesses and the mayors of Norfolk and Chesapeake.
Sessoms said he'll talk with Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim about working together to make sure the Navy keeps its carriers in the area and to reduce gang violence.
"I think we've got to do more regionally," Sessoms said. "We've been talking about it for a long time."
Before Sessoms can deliver on his promises, he must gain the support of other council members, many of whom supported Oberndorf.
"His first job will probably be to work out and find a majority on council," City Treasurer John Atkinson said. "There are 10 other personalities that go into that room."
The first test might come when the council votes on the vice mayor in early January. Louis Jones said he'd like to keep the job.
Jones has served as the council's liaison on several high-profile boards and regional groups. But Sessoms has said he would be the council's representative on issues involving economic development and transportation.
"There's plenty of room for all the members of council to serve on boards and commissions," Jones said.
He expects the transition to be smooth because Sessoms, a former councilman and vice mayor, understands how the group works.
"How Will decides he wants to lead remains to be seen. He's never been mayor before," Jones said. "But he's politically savvy. He's not going to do anything to upset the rest of the council."
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
