Wright re-elected in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Kenny Wright was re-elected Tuesday evening as Portsmouth mayor, beating out 75-year-old Charles Whitehurst, Sr.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday morning, Wright gained 58 percent of the vote while Whitehurst. had 42 percent. Wright was elected mayor in 2010 when James Holley was recalled in June.

Wright had served as vice mayor of Portsmouth and had worked with the city since 1985 as a city treasurer and city council member.

During his campaign, Wright avoided making public comments regarding the recent resignation and re-hiring of former Fire Chief Don Horton.

Horton had stayed on the city's payroll for three months after he resigned with the Family and Medical Leave Act even though his resignation email did not state any medical or family reasons to leave the area.

WAVY.com then learned Horton was given a job by City Manager Ken Chandler in a new position as deputy director of emergency management.

Last month, both Horton and Chandler resigned from their positions with the city.