Daun Hester kicked off her campaign for Mayor of Norfolk Saturday morning to a standing-room-only sized crowd. Hester, who has served on City Council since 1996, made some pretty bold statements in her speech (video below).
There’s no turning back for Daun Hester: come July 1, she will either be on council as Mayor or off completely. This is the campaign that I’ve always wanted from her, one that calls it like it is and says what needs to change in Norfolk. It’s a tall order – and what better platform to try to change the culture of this city than from the Mayor’s post.
Inclusiveness, instead of exclusiveness. A sharing of the vision, instead dictating. Hearing all voices, instead of silencing the critics. That’s the Norfolk we all deserve.
Yeah, it’s time.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Glad to see her run. It will for sure be an interesting campaign. I have a feeling that the time is right. This will be a historic election- first serious female black woman to run for mayor. No one can negate her for taking up such a challenge. No more back room deals on council. I wouldn’t want all those endorsements anyways.. its just more of the status quo. Daun Hester will be a mayor for everyone, not just the elite.
Too bad I live in Va Beach. But I will chip in to help her campaign.
Daun has an immense uphill battle and it will be ugly. But the political winds seem to changing in Norfolk and folks are tired of “business as usual”. Is Daun the right person for the job… only the voters can decide. Is it time for a council change? Yes, and it starts with the seats of Wright, Fraim, Riddick, Williams. Good luck to all who are trying to effect change. “May the force be with you.”
While some are publicly dismissive of Daun’s campaign, remember that it’s a May election. All the endorsements in the world only mean so much: it will come down to who can get their voters to the polls in a very low turnout election.
Look back to May, 2004 here in Virginia Beach. Robert Dean got over 43% of the vote for Mayor despite being one of the most despised public figures in our City and the region. People thought it was time for a change and Meyera personified the status quo.
Daun Hester can win, but it will require a huge effort to do it.
Robert Dean is one of the finest individuals I know. He stands for individual choice and freedom, which really makes me wonder what kind of person would despise him. Someone embraces despotism?
I don’t follow Norfolk politics closely and don’t know much of anything about Ms. Hester, but I look forward to learning more.
I wish Ms. Hester all the good results she deserves, which are many. Not being a Norfolk resident, I am still aware and have followed the story of Norfolk politics.
I agree with most here that to effect change, large change must start at the ballot box.
Ideas well-executed will be needed to capture the public’s attention.
If I am well enough, I plan on doing what I can to help see that she is elected.
Norfolk has been a ‘backroom deal’ town for a long, long time. I agree that its a GOTV election but the backroom boys are good at exactly that. Norfolk has been ripe for change for decades, and I hope Daun can be the force of change that is so badly needed. Should be interesting to see what dirty tricks the backroom boys throw at her. I would imagine a “whisper campaign” would be on the agenda, so she should get the positive mailers going soon. I wish her all the best.