Newport News City Council South District Seat B · Nov 3, 2026
John R. Eley III
Candidate for City Council South District Seat B (incumbent)
John R. Eley III, the incumbent, is running for Newport News City Council South District Seat B in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Clifton J. Atkins and Devon P. Hamilton.
Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.) · Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Local business owner and former School Board member elected to the South District seat in November 2022. Directs What's Next, an initiative that connects residents with workforce training.
- Campaign website
- johneley.com
Curtis D. Bethany III, John R. Eley III, Cleon M. Long, Clifton J. Atkins, Andrea R. Diggs, Michael A. Gale and Devon P. Hamilton answered six randomly selected resident questions at a September 2026 City Council candidate forum at Hilton Christian Church. The Virginian-Pilot · Sep 26, 2026
Where John R. Eley III stands: positions on the record
Data centers1 sourced position
Says data centers are not a good fit for Newport News because of their energy and water use, neighborhood impacts and few permanent jobs.
“I do not believe data centers are a good fit for Newport News.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Camp Morrison2 sourced positions
Seconded the July 2026 motion to postpone the Camp Morrison Community Development Authority and said he did not support it.
“We just can’t have responsibilities of big companies put on our citizens. I’m not supporting it and I’m glad we are able to defer this.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Jul 16, 2026
Voted yes to postpone the ordinance creating the Morrison Station Community Development Authority (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jul 14, 2026
School sales tax2 sourced positions
as reported by The Virginian-Pilot; not a direct quote
Said at a September 2026 forum that he supports the 1% sales tax for school construction.
Forum answerThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 26, 2026
Voted yes on the resolution asking voters whether the city may levy an extra sales tax of up to 1% for school construction; this put the question on the ballot (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jul 14, 2026
Jobs1 sourced position
Names access to good-paying jobs as a top challenge; would expand partnerships for industry certifications and skilled-trades careers.
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Taxes1 sourced position
Voted yes on the ordinance keeping the real estate tax rate at $1.18 per $100 of assessed value for FY 2027 (adopted 7-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · May 12, 2026
Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on the $1.27 billion FY 2027 operating budget (adopted 7-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · May 12, 2026
Collective bargaining1 sourced position
Voted yes on the ordinance allowing collective bargaining for eligible city employees (adopted 7-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jul 14, 2026
Development1 sourced position
Voted yes on the resolution supporting HomePort Hampton Roads 2, an approximately $450 million Navy housing and mixed-use project downtown, with $10 million in city support (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jul 14, 2026
Council pay1 sourced position
Voted yes on raising the mayor's salary from $27,000 to $51,000 and council members' from $25,000 to $47,000, effective July 2025 (adopted 6-1, July 2024).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jul 2, 2024
Housing and zoning1 sourced position
Voted yes on rezoning 628 and 634 Old Fort Eustis Boulevard for an apartment community of up to 120 units, which the Planning Commission recommended denying (failed 3-4, Feb. 2025).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Feb 25, 2025
Stormwater1 sourced position
Voted no on a new policy for privately owned man-made lakes that repealed the Lake Enhancement Program policy (adopted 5-2, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Jun 9, 2026
Firearms1 sourced position
Voted no on banning firearms in city buildings and city recreation and community centers, with exceptions for law enforcement and others (adopted 6-1, Nov. 2024).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Nov 26, 2024
Land use1 sourced position
Voted yes on a permit for a gas station with a convenience store at 12833 and part of 12835 Jefferson Avenue for SKS Holdings (adopted 4-3, Feb. 2023).
Council voteCity of Newport News · Feb 14, 2023
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Newport News City Council, South District in 2022 (won).
Own statementVirginia Department of Elections · Nov 15, 2022
Also running for City Council South District Seat B
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