Name: Aaron T. Weaver

Age: 38

Website: www.aarontweaver.com

Biography: A lifelong Hampton resident with a deep commitment to the community, I was born in Newport News and raised in Hampton, graduating from Hampton University in 2008 as part of Onyx 7, where my passion for service, leadership, and advocacy took root.

My career began in a management role at a Fortune 100 telecommunications company, mastering leadership, budget management, and strategic planning. Later, I continued my family’s legacy as a third-generation shipbuilder, now serving as a Production Planner & Scheduler 2. These roles have given me a unique perspective on hard work, dedication, and service—values I live by every day.

What sets me apart is my genuine, hands-on dedication to Hampton. I began advocating for our city without seeking recognition or reward, driven solely by a deep love for this community. As a Citizen Services Advocate with 311, I worked tirelessly to address residents’ concerns, guided by the belief that “No one knows everything, but I will find it, or get you to the person that can help you.” I stepped away from city employment to stand up for my community in the Greater Wythe area, knowing that true leadership means being the voice of truth and advocacy when it counts.

I am running for City Council to be an Advocate for all citizens, a Leader who unites our community, and a Change Agent who turns plans into action. I believe transparency and accountability should be the norm, especially for city council members, and I’m committed to ensuring what happened to my community never happens to another. My vision for
Hampton is simple: a city where every citizen feels valued and heard, with real progress on public safety, youth activities, living wages, and affordable housing.

Why are you running for this office?

My “why” for running is clear and deeply personal: Hampton has given me so much, and now it’s my turn to give back and serve again. I am running for City Council because I believe in a Hampton where every citizen has a voice, where every neighborhood is represented, and where leadership means being present and accountable every day.

I understand that if elected, I will be one of seven people on the council. It’s not just about me—it’s about us as a community choosing the right team to lead. I am committed to doing my part as one person, and I hope we can elect four other dedicated servants who share the same vision of service, transparency, and accountability.

My lifelong connection to Hampton, combined with my professional expertise and unwavering commitment to service, makes me a candidate who won’t just make promises—I will deliver results. I want to bring tangible, positive change to Hampton because I know what it feels like
when communities are left behind or overlooked. I never want what happened to my community to happen to another, and I am determined to ensure that transparency and accountability are the norm for everyone, including city council members.

What is the top challenge facing Hampton, and how would you address it?

The top challenge facing our city is a lack of affordable housing and fair wages—two issues that are deeply interconnected and crucial for building a more equitable community. However, focusing on living wages is where we can make a direct and immediate impact, starting with our
own workforce.

Recently, our citizens voted for, and the City Council approved, a new tiered raise system that provides percentage raises based on years of service for city employees. This is a significant step in the right direction—a start to making our wages more competitive and ensuring that those who serve Hampton can afford to live here. It sets a positive example for other employers in our community. Time will show us the full effectiveness of this new system, but it represents an
essential move forward in promoting fair wages.

To build on this momentum, I support creating a ‘Living Wage Employer’ certification program to recognize and reward local businesses that commit to paying their employees a fair wage. This program would provide public recognition, marketing support, and potential tax incentives
to certified employers. We could fund this initiative by reallocating city resources and utilizing federal workforce development funds, making it easier for businesses to adopt fair wage practices. By leading by example and encouraging others to follow suit, we can cultivate a stronger, more resilient local economy where every worker has the opportunity to thrive.

What is your view addressing the affordable housing crisis?

Addressing affordable housing is vital for ensuring that all residents have a stable and secure place to call home, which is essential for the overall health and growth of our community. I believe we need to take a multi-pronged approach that includes both immediate and long-term
strategies to make housing more accessible for everyone.

One initiative I’m eager to support is the creation of a ‘First Homebuyers’ Program, designed to help residents achieve homeownership by providing down payment assistance, low-interest loans, and financial literacy workshops. This program isn’t just about making homeownership more attainable—it’s about stabilizing neighborhoods, fostering community pride, and strengthening our tax base by encouraging long-term investment in our city. To fund this, I
would advocate for pursuing federal and state grants from HUD and developing public-private partnerships with local banks and businesses that are willing to invest in Hampton’s future.

Additionally, we should look at leveraging city-owned land to develop mixed-use and mixed-income housing projects. By forming public-private partnerships and utilizing financial tools like Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), we can create vibrant neighborhoods that include affordable housing options alongside market-rate units and community amenities. This approach would not only address the immediate need for affordable housing but also promote a more inclusive and economically diverse city.

These steps are part of a broader vision for addressing our city’s housing needs. We must continue to explore all options, ask hard questions, and be innovative in our approach to ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe, affordable housing.

What is your view on Hampton’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance that limits rentals citywide?

For the most part, I agree with the approach to short-term and Homestay rentals as a starting point. However, I do have a significant concern: there are currently no protections or plans in place to prevent excessive ownership by LLCs. This issue was raised by the short-term rental stakeholder group, and I followed up on it by asking the city manager at a recent city council legislative session. Unfortunately, there are no such protections in place.

Without these safeguards, there’s nothing stopping an outside entity from purchasing up the 1% allowance in any given short-term rental zone. It could easily turn into a “first come, first serve, biggest bank wins” situation, heavily influenced by housing availability. This could undermine the original intent of the ordinance and negatively impact local residents.

How do you view potentially using general fund money to continue commercial air service at Newport News Williamsburg Airport?

I have a personal fondness for Newport News Williamsburg Airport; it was the first airport I ever flew out of, ultimately ending up in Cincinnati, Ohio. But looking at this from a business standpoint, the idea of using our general fund money to cover a part of a $3 million-plus loss for just six flights in and out to Charlotte doesn’t make sense. Our tax dollars are valuable, and we don’t have the same revenue streams, like Newport News Shipbuilding or Waterworks, contributing to our budget like our neighbors in Newport News do. We need to be as careful and strategic with our funds as possible.

Given this, I don’t favor using general fund money for this purpose right now. While I respect the agreements made before us, I believe we need to consider other options going forward. That’s my perspective based on the information available.

What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?

This is a broad question, but I’ll cover it from all angles. The bottom line is that taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city leads to one thing: recusal. If someone donates to your campaign, you should recuse yourself from any decisions involving them to maintain fairness and avoid conflicts of interest.

My overall rule is simple: don’t accept money from people, especially if it could compromise your integrity or impartiality. If it does happen, recusal is the only appropriate course of action.