Мэр Вирджиния-Бич Бобби Дайер объявил о планах баллотироваться в сенаторы штата

VIRGINIA BEACH — Bobby Dyer, who has served as mayor of Virginia Beach since 2018 and on council since 2004, announced Wednesday he plans to run for a state Senate seat next year. Dyer will seek the Republican nomination for District 22. His term as mayor ends in 2028, and he has previously said he would step down then. Dyer, 76, has been frustrated with a number General Assembly issues that have affected Virginia Beach in recent years, prompting him to run for Senate, he said. He cited proposed legislation Virginia Beach requested this year that would have authorized any Virginia locality to establish a temporary gun-free “pop up zone” with enhanced enforcement authority over things like occupancy, speed limits and curfews. The bill stalled, and Dyer has said he believes the delay was a form of retribution because he and other Hampton Roads’ mayors had formally opposed legislation that would have taken away local control of municipal workers’ right to collectively bargain over wages, benefits and working conditions. Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed the collective bargaining bill in May. Among his goals, Dyer wants to “build positive bridges,” he said, and reduce the local burden from state mandates. “We need a voice in Richmond that has to remind people, let’s have the courtesy to talk to the municipalities,” Dyer said. District 22 is currently represented by Aaron Rouse, a Democrat. Dyer and Rouse served on the City Council together before Rouse was elected to the Senate. Rouse plans to run for reelection, he said. All 40 state Senate seats will be up for grabs Nov. 2, 2027. Democrats currently hold a 21-19 advantage in the chamber. Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, [email protected]