A step closer to filling Holley's seat

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The process of filling recently recalled Portsmouth Mayor James Holley's seat took a step forward this week.

Circuit Court Judge Dean W. Sword, Jr. entered a Writ of Election Tuesday. A writ of election is a writ issued by the government ordering the holding of a special election for a political office.

According to the Portsmouth Clerk of Court, the City Attorney's Office had to request that the courts issue a writ of election to fill the vacancy for former Mayor Holley's seat.

The writ will be delivered to the city attorney, the general registrar and the secretary of the local electoral board, who will then notify the State Board of Elections.

The Portsmouth Electoral Board certified the votes from a July 13 recall election, making it official that James Holley is no longer mayor of the city.

The Portsmouth City Council gathered for a closed door meeting the following day to discuss who to select as interim mayor, before a new mayor is elected in November.  City Council said it will name an interim mayor on Tuesday, July 27.

The recall effort began with a round of complaints from one of Holley's former assistants, who said he created a hostile work environment. The City Council voted to ask Mayor Holley to resign, and when he refused, a petition drive was initiated to force Holley out.

This is the second time Mayor Holley has been recalled, but is the end of a political career that spans 42 years.