City & town

Newport News City Council

Central District, Seat B

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The city council sets City of Newport News's budget, tax rates and ordinances and appoints the city manager.

Candidates Compare by issue

Andrea R. Diggs

No party listed

Licensed clinical social worker; small-business owner

The gist

Supports the school construction sales tax referendum.
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.
Proposes weighing each data center proposal on its merits.
Supports development that raises household income.

More about Andrea

View sources (2)

Supports the school construction sales tax referendum.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“Diggs also said she ultimately supports the referendum”
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“For Diggs, Gale, Hamilton and Long, the answer was no, due to community feedback largely against it.”
Proposes weighing each data center proposal on its merits.
Candidate Profile: Andrea R. Diggs (Newport News City Council - Central District)
Candidate questionnaire · WAVY-TV 10 (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“I am not categorically opposed to data centers, but I do not believe Newport News should automatically say yes”
Supports development that raises household income.
Candidate Profile: Andrea R. Diggs (Newport News City Council - Central District)
Candidate questionnaire · WAVY-TV 10 (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“economic development that creates quality jobs and increases household income, support for local businesses”

Michael A. Gale

No party listed

The gist

Proposes more code enforcement staff to address blight.
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.

More about Michael

View sources (1)

Proposes more code enforcement staff to address blight.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“Gale said he wants to increase the number of code enforcement personnel”
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“For Diggs, Gale, Hamilton and Long, the answer was no, due to community feedback largely against it.”

Cleon M. Long

No party listedIncumbent

Newport News City Council member (Central District); nuclear power engineer

The gist

Supports police recruitment and youth prevention programs.
Proposes homebuyer help and home repair resources.
Supports the school construction sales tax referendum.
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.
Proposes public listening sessions on any data center.

More about Cleon

View sources (2)

Supports police recruitment and youth prevention programs.
Candidate Profile: Cleon M. Long (Newport News City Council – Central District)
Candidate questionnaire · WAVY-TV 10 (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“We must continue investing in the recruitment and retention of police officers while supporting prevention programs”
Proposes homebuyer help and home repair resources.
Candidate Profile: Cleon M. Long (Newport News City Council – Central District)
Candidate questionnaire · WAVY-TV 10 (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“helping more residents purchase homes, providing resources for homeowners to make needed repairs”
Supports the school construction sales tax referendum.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“Bethany, Long and Eley said they understand the economic pressures facing residents, but said they support the tax”
Opposes the Camp Morrison community development authority.
Newport News City Council candidates talk Camp Morrison, sales tax and blight
Debate / forum transcript · Daily Press (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“For Diggs, Gale, Hamilton and Long, the answer was no, due to community feedback largely against it.”
Proposes public listening sessions on any data center.
Candidate Profile: Cleon M. Long (Newport News City Council – Central District)
Candidate questionnaire · WAVY-TV 10 (via Yahoo News) · yahoo.com
“I would support holding multiple public listening sessions so residents can fully understand the project”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.