Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones is headed back to City Hall for a second term after cruising past two challengers in Tuesday’s election, with unofficial returns showing him capturing roughly 69.5% of the vote. Sharon Scott and Phillip Hamilton split the remainder, leaving Jones with a commanding margin in a race that also included a contentious ballot question over raising sales taxes to pay for school construction.
According to 13News Now, Jones pulled in 39,392 votes to Hamilton’s 11,471 and Scott’s 5,815, out of 56,678 total ballots cast in the mayoral race. That put Hamilton at about 20.24% and Scott at roughly 10.26%, well behind the incumbent. The results remain unofficial and are expected to be certified later in November, the outlet reported.
A separate tally from pilotonline.com captured a snapshot taken Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., before all precincts had finished reporting, showing Jones with 65% of the vote, Hamilton with 24% and Scott with 11% at that point in the count. Jones declared victory in the three-way race Tuesday night, that outlet reported.
Jones Points to Crime Drop and School Investment
In a statement thanking Newport News residents for their trust and support, Jones said he was humbled by the opportunity and told supporters the victory belongs to the people of the city. He also thanked his supporters and the people who did not vote for him, according to 13News Now…