Hampton to select new sheriff in special election, swears in undersheriff
City looks to fill rest of term of B.J. Roberts, who recently died
— Hampton will hold a special election to fill the rest of the term of Sheriff B.J. Roberts, who died last month.
Roberts, 70, died Dec. 26 before he was due to retire this month. Per state code, Hampton must, within 15 days of the vacancy, ask the Circuit Court to hold a special election to fill his seat, which will happen on Nov. 2, the same date as the next general election.
Holding the election in November will avoid extra expense, according to council documents.
The Hampton City Council is scheduled to ratify the request at its meeting Wednesday.
Last month, Virginia reinstated restrictions that reduced social
gatherings back to 10 people, through Jan. 31. An in-person quorum of four members will vote to approve requests to participate remotely, spokeswoman Robin McCormick said in an email Monday.
Until the next election, Hampton has tapped Karen Bowden, the former undersheriff, to head the office. She was sworn in Dec. 28, Hampton Circuit Court Clerk Linda Batchelor said in an email. Bowden is the first woman to lead the department.
It’s not clear whether a June primary will be held for other potential candidates.
Roberts was the first African American to head the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association and the state’s longest serving sheriff. He announced last February he would not seek an eighth term. Due to the pandemic, a virtual memorial service for Roberts was streamed on Facebook.
In December before he died, Hampton officials had requested the Circuit Court not to hold a special election to fill Roberts’ unexpired seat. Instead officials planned to have Bowden assume command, citing a state law that allows the highest-ranking deputy to fill the vacancy of a constitutional officer if it occurs within a year to the end of that term.
On Wednesday, the public will be allowed into council chambers if anyone wishes to speak, McCormick said. If more people want to speak during the public comment than can be accommodated at one time, the city will rotate speakers in and out as needed, she added. Additionally, citizens who do not want to come in are welcome to send in emails to members at council@hampton.gov or mail a letter to City Council, at Hampton City Hall, 22 Lincoln St.
Hampton’s council meets at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Meetings are streamed live at hampton.gov/ livetv and are broadcast on Channel 47 on Cox and Channel 22 on Verizon Fios.