VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Former Virginia State Delegate Cheryl Turpin is withdrawing from the Virginia Beach mayoral race.
Turpin, a Democrat who represented the former 85th district from 2018 to 2020, said she made the decision after the recent death of her mother.
“As the saying goes, ‘A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.'” Turpin said in her announcement. “Her support and love have been a cornerstone in my life, and as a mother myself, I must now dedicate this time to honor her memory and support my two daughters.”
In her announcement, Turpin asked local leaders to come together going forward to “secure resources for a sports stadium, invest in tourism at our oceanfront, and empower our city workers and small business owners.”
T includes having an open mind about collective bargaining, something Virginia Beach city leaders declined to approve earlier this year, Turpin says.
“Invite our city employees to the same discussion tables that donors sit around. Again, in like manner, be open minded to the terms discussed and come to an agreement. While the process is the same, the progress I promise you will be greater,” Turpin said.
Turpin’s withdrawal means there are now five candidates remaining in the case: incumbent Mayor Bobby Dyer, current council members Sabrina Wooten and Chris Taylor, former councilman John Moss and local businessman Richard Kowalewitch.
Here’s Turpin’s full statement:
Dear Fellow Candidates,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to withdraw from the mayoral race following the recent passing of my beloved mother. As the saying goes, “A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.” Her support and love have been a cornerstone in my life, and as a mother myself, I must now dedicate this time to honor her memory and support my two daughters.
As the only city employee and public school teacher in this race, I urge you to go beyond mere talking points when it comes to city workers. Talking points have their place, but I beg of you to go beyond talking points at us, and make it a point to actually talk to us. Not just to talk but to listen and engage with us, understand our challenges, and advocate for our needs. My experience as a legislator has shown me the importance of genuine dialogue and actionable commitments, and as a public school teacher, I have seen the power within them both.
Hampton Roads is home to many senior members of both parties in the General Assembly. Now is the time to leverage these relationships to secure resources for a sports stadium, invest in tourism at our oceanfront, and empower our city workers and small business owners. We celebrate our public safety rankings in the media and on our Facebook and Instagram pages. That is purely because of our public safety professionals. In like manner, we celebrate our public schools. That too is purely because of our public school professionals. And naturally, we celebrate our local business economy. That too is because of our local businesses that build that economy. Now is the time where, through collaboration and communication, we can put our city employees and our local economy in the driver’s seat of our progress.
The late Governor Ann Richards was absolutely right when she said, “Life is not fair, we all know that, but Government should be.” I ask you to be fair when it comes to collective bargaining. Invite our city employees to the same discussion tables that donors sit around. Again, in like manner, be open minded to the terms discussed and come to an agreement. While the process is the same, the progress I promise you will be greater.
In closing, if you ever wish to see the future of Virginia Beach, I invite you to step into its classrooms. You’re welcome to visit mine anytime. If I can ever help, you know where to find me.
Cheryl Turpin