The Leadership Our Region & City Needs Right Now

About the VBDC 2022 Recommended Candidates

 

The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee is proud to announce our 2022 Voter Guide. 

In addition to Congresswoman Elaine Luria receiving the Democratic Nomination for Congressional District 2, the following candidates have received the committee’s recommendations for City Council and School Board. 

Congresswoman Elaine Luria

For the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 2

Congresswoman Luria is a 20-year Navy veteran and small businesswoman proudly serving the people of Virginia’s Second Congressional District.

Melissa Peck

For City Council, District 1

Melissa Peck is a lifelong volunteer, military spouse for over 20 years, and community organizer. As a graduate student in Library & Information Sciences, she values informed decision-making and innovative community-first solutions.

Kim Melnyk

For School Board, District 2

Kim currently serves as the Virginia Beach School Board Vice Chair. Kim is also a lifelong public-school advocate and Longwood University graduate.

Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond

For City Council, District 4

Amelia is a former Virginia Beach Councilwoman and the Founder & Chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center. She chairs the Mayor’s Inclusion Diversity, Equity and Accessibility and is also an Appointee by Governor Northam to the Hampton Roads Transit Commission.

Staci Martin

For School Board, District 4

Staci has been working in public service for over 20 years as both adjunct faculty at Old Dominion University and as a full-time program manager in a variety of state agencies.

As a working mother and former high school drop out, Staci attended college at night completing her Bachelor’s degree in 2003 and her Master’s degree in 2006 while raising her daughter and taking care of her mother.

Worth Remick

For City Council, District 6

Worth is a longtime Virginia Beach resident, parent, coach, and volunteer who believes strong families, safe neighborhoods, good schools, and a sound business climate make for a healthy city.

Sharon Felton

For School Board, District 6

Sharon Felton currently serves as a member of the Virginia Beach School Board. A compelling communicator and community innovator, Sharon Felton is a Virginia Beach native and a proud alumnus of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Having attended Seatack Elementary, Virginia Beach Middle, and graduating from First Colonial High School with grandchildren currently enrolled in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Sharon has been involved in our educational institutions for three generations.

 

Carolyn Rye

For School Board, District 8

Carolyn has served for two terms as a member of the Virginia Beach School Board. She has sought to ensure that every student, within the context of an inclusive and welcoming learning environment, has access to the quality instruction and resources they need to prepare for whatever paths they may choose after leaving Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Joash Schulman

For City Council, District 9

Joash ​​is a real estate and business attorney and serves as the managing partner of Town Center Office Suites. He and his wife have been residents of Virginia Beach since 2007 and they reside with their three young daughters in the city’s Thoroughgood neighborhood.

Joash is passionate about economic development and strategic growth initiatives, our public school system, and coastal resiliency, flooding, and environmental issues.

Erika Guess

For School Board, District 9

Erika is the daughter of a VBCPS teacher, a VBCPS graduate, and a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach. She has two children in VBCPS, and she looks forward to making a difference in the lives of all students.

Jennifer  Rouse

For City Council, District 10

Jennifer was born and raised in Virginia Beach. She graduated with honors from Virginia Wesleyan College and earned her graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was awarded the prestigious L. Douglas Wilder Graduate Scholar Fellowship.

She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Department Chair of Social Sciences and Education Pathway at Tidewater Community College.

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Kim Bentley II

For School Board, District 10

Kim is a single father of a child about to enter Virginia Beach City Public Schools, has spent over a decade building his community in the Hampton Roads area.

As the president of the Green Run Homes Association, he chairs the 9 person board tasked with oversight of the largest community association in Hampton Roads. Kim was elected to guide the decision making, oversee a multi-million dollar budget, and most importantly to ensure that the Green Run community is a place that residents are happy to call home.