Newport News city, Virginia

Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City

2 candidates are tracked for Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Francis C. Jacobson and Gary B. Hunter. Candidate information follows official Newport News City election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

2 certified candidates for Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City on the November 3, 2026 ballot; Gary B. Hunter is listed as the incumbent by the Department of Elections, per the Virginia Department of Elections' certified local candidate list (updated September 3, 2026). Virginia local offices are nonpartisan on the ballot unless a candidate was nominated by a party; the number of seats filled and the district lines come from the locality's own ballot.

What this office does

School board member. The school board is the governing body of a public school district. It hires and evaluates the superintendent, adopts the district budget, sets policies on curriculum, discipline, attendance boundaries and facilities, and approves contracts and collective bargaining agreements. Day-to-day operations belong to the superintendent; the board sets direction and holds the administration accountable.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Gary B. Hunter, is on the ballot.

Virginia › Newport News City › Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City

Francis C. Jacobson

Independent

Top priorities

Strengthen school safety policies and consistently enforce anti-bullying rules
Support teachers with competitive compensation, manageable workloads and professional development
Expand career and technical education, mentorship and workforce readiness pathways for students

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jacobson has worked in community development, crisis resolution and public service, and describes himself as a United Nations certified crisis resolution specialist who has supported initiatives aligned with the Millennium Development Goals, per his campaign site. He is 39 years old, per a WAVY.com candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Gary B. Hunter

Independent Incumbent

Biography

Hunter is the incumbent at-large member of the Newport News School Board, first elected in 2022. He is 65 years old and works as a senior director for donor and external engagement at Hampton University, holding a bachelor's degree in business, per The Virginian-Pilot. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Next on your ballotMember City Council - Seat B, Central District

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City in 2026?

When is the Member School Board - At Large, Newport News City election in Virginia?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Virginia are on the Virginia election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Newport News city ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Newport News city and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Virginia election office, or see the full Newport News City sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Newport News city ballot

8 tracked races in Newport News city, Virginia. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Member City Council - Seat B, North District Member City Council - Seat B, South District Member School Board, Central District See all 8 Newport News city races

Candidate profiles

Francis C. Jacobson, full profile Gary B. Hunter, full profile Official Virginia election office