Melvin Cotton Jr.
Candidate for City of Portsmouth School Board
Background
- Occupation
- Portsmouth School Board member; pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church
A Portsmouth School Board member since a November 2021 special election, a Portsmouth Public Schools graduate and pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
Documented positions
Education
Supports offering PACE Center trades to all students.
ReportMeet the candidates: Portsmouth School BoardCandidate questionnaire · The Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“I advocated for it to be an option for all PPS students and to offer credentials for every trade.”
Roads & infrastructure
Proposes planning for more schools as population grows.
ReportMeet the candidates: Portsmouth School BoardCandidate questionnaire · The Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“we do anticipate a stronger need for more schools to accommodate our growing population”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Melvin Cotton Jr. on them.
- Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.
- Health & human servicesNo documented position found.
- Government & transparencyNo documented position found.
All sources (4)
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General and Special Elections (City of Portsmouth)
Election filing · City of Portsmouth Office of the General Registrar · content.civicplus.com
- November 3, 2026, General and Special Elections Information (candidates and referendum, 8/28/2026)
Election filing · City of Portsmouth Office of the General Registrar · content.civicplus.com
- Candidate list, November 3, 2026 General Election: City of Portsmouth (all offices)
Election filing · Virginia Department of Elections · elections.virginia.gov
- Meet the candidates: Portsmouth School Board
Candidate questionnaire · The Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.