Malinda Johnson is a candidate for Portsmouth City Council. Her name will appear on the ballot on November 5, 2024.
Johnson is running against 10 challengers for Portsmouth City Council. They are vying for three open seats.
The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office for this election is Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Click here to see who is on your ballot.
10 On Your Side reached out to all of the candidates running in this race, with a request for a bio and a list of questions to answer. If you do not see the candidate listed with a profile, we did not receive one.
Name: Malinda A. Johnson
Age: 52
Biography: I am a military retiree that chose to make Portsmouth, Virginia my permanent place of residence after 20 plus years in the military. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and minister. I have a large, blended family and I appreciate the intricacies of always being a positive role model. I have had seven children graduate from Portsmouth schools, three from Churchland High School and four from I.C. Norcom, with one more set to graduate this year from Churchland High School. I served my country from the age of seventeen in numerous countries and various jobs. I have been an active volunteer in the Hampton Roads area for over 25 years. I coached, mentored, and volunteered on projects with HUD, the Elizabeth River Project and many more. Some of my memberships include the National Urban League of Hampton Roads, Zeta Phi Beta, Inc., and Prayer Team Ministry Leader (Grove Church).
I have never held public office, but I have been a leader my entire adult life, in the United States Army and United States Marine Corps. Being one of the first females with the privilege to wear the combat uniform in the Marine Corps prepared me to advocate for my rights and the rights of the underprivileged. I also advocated for the right for African American females to wear traditional hair styles while in military uniform. Speaking out and speaking up has become my personal mantra.
Why are you running for this office?
I am the best choice for Portsmouth City Council because I aspire to live my life based off the core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of all people, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These core values govern how I interact with others. My platform is based on the three D’s: A new Decision maker, Debate with integrity, and Diversity equals success. “If you want someone to listen, then why don’t you vote differently.”
What is the top challenge facing Portsmouth, and how would you address it?
Crime, educational inequality, and lack of growth.
I would address the challenge of crime by soliciting the council to adopt some community-based policing initiatives. Make community members feel that they are heard and that their concerns are valuable. By encouraging all communities to reclaim debilitated areas and establish community gardens. While citizens maintain these open spaces, they decrease the likelihood of unscrupulous individuals committing crimes because they will know that at any given time there will be a member of community outside.
To lessen the educational inequality, I intend to advocate for the increased usage of the Vocational Education programs to increase graduation rates for those students who may not have a desire to continue their education in college.
By utilizing the Vocational Education programs in our schools this will also lead to growth in the city because those same individuals may participate in On-the-job training programs with venues in the city. Thus, increasing the number of citizens that have a personal stake in buying property and engaging in more growth for the city.
What is your view addressing the affordable housing crisis?
Encourage more developers to invest in affordable housing in the city by giving them incentives. Also, working with individuals that have lived in the city as renters for a certain amount of time to have the opportunity to buy at a reduced rate after participating in a budget program to ensure that they are fiscally responsible enough to purchase a home. The pride of having property of their own will help promote more people to settle in Portsmouth.
The city has a longstanding history of disfunction on City Council. How will you civilly work with your colleagues?
I am trained as a litigator and mediator. Having negotiated with various individuals of all ages and creeds over in my past has prepared me to work with anyone. I treat everyone with respect and encourage others to do the same. The basis of a civilized society is healthy debate. We can have different opinions about a topic and still get the job done.
What is your vision for the former Civic Center and Holiday Inn site in Olde Town Portsmouth?
My vision for that area is to renovate the property for development as a combined executive apartment complex and extended stay hotel with restaurants. Having been here several times during my military service I know personally there is not enough lodging for people staying for extended periods of time. Utilizing the area for a multilevel parking garage as well will increase the likelihood of tourists coming to the area to partake in its rich culture.
What is your view on taking money from individuals who will likely have business before the city?
Accepting money from individuals that will likely have business before the city is entirely unethical. It lessens the ability of that individual to provide impartial decision-making if they have the possibility for financial gain. There should be a statute prohibiting gifts to elected officials from anyone seeking to obtain any type of decision from the council.