Suffolk City Council Cypress Borough · Nov 3, 2026
Leroy Bennett
Candidate for City Council Cypress Borough (incumbent)
Leroy Bennett, the incumbent, is running for Suffolk City Council Cypress Borough in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Will J. Smith.
Voter registration and mailed-ballot application deadline · Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Cypress Borough council member and retired general foreman at Newport News Shipbuilding. First elected in 1996 as the Nansemond Borough representative; served as vice mayor from 2002 to 2006 and from 2015 to 2022.
- Campaign website
- bennettforsuffolk.com
Where Leroy Bennett stands: positions on the record
Data centers2 sourced positions
Answer to the WAVY candidate questionnaire
Says he supported halting data center development while the city studies effects on the grid, water, infrastructure, neighbors and taxpayers.
“I supported the effort to halt data center development while the city takes a closer look at how these facilities could affect our electric grid, water resources, infrastructure, nearby communities, and taxpayers.”
Own statementWAVY
Voted yes on asking the Planning Commission to draft a zoning amendment prohibiting data centers in all zoning districts (passed 7-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · Jun 17, 2026
ICE facility1 sourced position
Answer to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press candidate questionnaire
Says the city should use every lawful local authority to oppose an ICE facility and not divert police to federal civil immigration duties.
“The city’s role should be to protect residents, preserve community trust, and use every lawful local authority to oppose an ICE facility in Suffolk.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Farmland1 sourced position
Answer to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press candidate questionnaire
Supports studying a program like Virginia Beach's purchase of development rights from willing landowners, including conservation easements and asking voters to approve a dedicated funding source if needed.
“I support studying a similar program for Suffolk, including conservation easements and asking voters to approve a dedicated funding source if needed.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Growth4 sourced positions
Answer to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press candidate questionnaire
Would require stronger fiscal impact analysis and direct growth to areas that can support it.
“My plan is to require stronger fiscal impact analysis, direct growth to areas that can support it, and pursue every available local, state, and federal dollar.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Voted yes on rezoning 494 Manning Road from agricultural to low-medium density residential (approved 6-2, January 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · Jan 21, 2026
Voted yes on rezoning 400 Jonathans Way from rural residential to medium density residential (approved 7-1, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · May 20, 2026
Voted yes on the motion to deny rezoning 1700 and 1802 North Main Street from general commercial to residential (motion passed 7-0, April 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · Apr 15, 2026
Taxes1 sourced position
Voted yes on the FY 2026-2027 operating and capital budget and related tax ordinances (adopted 8-0, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · May 6, 2026
Solar farms1 sourced position
Voted yes on the motion to deny a conditional use permit for a solar energy facility on Old Myrtle Road (motion passed 8-0, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Suffolk · Jul 15, 2026
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Suffolk City Council, Cypress Borough in 2022 (won).
Own statementVirginia Department of Elections · Nov 8, 2022
Also running for City Council Cypress Borough
All 8 Suffolk candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.