List of mayors of Hampton, Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor of Hampton, Virginia |
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|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Donnie Tuck since 2016 |
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| Formation | 1900 |
| First holder | James Barron Hope, Jr. |
Have you ever wondered who leads your city? In Hampton, Virginia, the person in charge is called the Mayor. The Mayor is like the city's main leader, working with the city council to make important decisions. These decisions help the city run smoothly and make life better for everyone who lives there.
This article shares a list of the people who have served as Mayor of Hampton since the city was officially formed. It's like a timeline of leaders who have shaped Hampton over the years!
Contents
Meet Hampton's Early Mayors (1900-1940s)
The role of Mayor in Hampton began in 1900. The very first person to hold this important job was James Barron Hope, Jr.. He served for five years, from 1900 to 1905. After him, Thornton Jones took over, serving for a long time, from 1905 to 1916.
Many different leaders followed in these early years. They helped guide Hampton through its first few decades as a city. One of the longest-serving mayors during this period was James V. Bickford, who was Mayor from 1920 all the way until 1946. That's 26 years!
Hampton's Mid-Century Leaders (1940s-1970s)
After World War II, new mayors stepped up to lead Hampton. Henry F. Marrow served from 1947 to 1949, followed by George C. Bentley, who had two different terms. His first term was from 1949 to 1952, and he returned later from 1955 to 1963.
A very important moment in Hampton's history came in 1963 when Ann Hitch Kilgore became Mayor. She was the first woman to hold this position in Hampton! She served two terms, first from 1963 to 1971, and then again from 1974 to 1978. Her leadership opened doors for other women in politics.
Mayors from the Late 20th Century (1970s-2000)
The late 20th century saw several leaders guide Hampton. David Montague served from 1971 to 1974, between Ann Hitch Kilgore's terms. Later, Charles A. Wornom was Mayor from 1978 to 1980.
One of the longest-serving mayors in Hampton's history was James Eason. He was Mayor for 16 years, from 1982 to 1998. That's a lot of time to make a difference in the city! After him, Joseph Spencer II served from 1998 to 2000.
Hampton's 21st Century Mayors (2000-Present)
As Hampton entered the new millennium, new leaders continued to shape its future.
Notable Mayors of the New Millennium
Mamie Locke became Mayor in 2000 and served until 2004. She was an important leader during the start of the 21st century. After her, Charles A. Wornom stepped in as an interim (temporary) mayor for a few months in 2004.
Ross Kearney II then served as Mayor from 2004 to 2008. He helped lead the city through several important projects.
Another significant leader was Molly Joseph Ward, who was Mayor from 2008 to 2013. After her time as Mayor, she went on to work for the President of the United States as a Special Assistant.
George E. Wallace served as an interim mayor from 2013 to 2014, and then as the official Mayor until 2016.
The current Mayor of Hampton is Donnie Tuck, who began his term in 2016. He is expected to serve until 2025. Looking ahead, Jimmy Gray is set to become Mayor in 2025.
See also
- Timeline of Hampton, Virginia
