Virginia Record
Hampton
JG

Jimmy Gray

Mayor2016-2028

About

Jimmy Gray's campaign focuses heavily on addressing key community issues such as homelessness and climate change. His platform centers on proactive local governance to tackle these pressing environmental and social challenges in Hampton.

Campaign promises (2)

  • public-safety
    The candidate aims to focus on addressing homelessness in Hampton.
  • environment
    The candidate wants to prioritize climate change initiatives for the city.

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
4
Total speaking time
4:35
Avg per meeting
1:09
Segments
65

Want every word Gray has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Gray said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

high↑Sep 2026[32]

Police-Initiated Towing Rate Adjustments

Increases fees for vehicle owners utilizing police towing and storage services.

high↑Sep 2026[25]

2027 General Assembly Legislative Priorities

Renewing the 1% tourism sales tax would keep funding tourism projects that support the local economy.

high→May 2026[22]

Short-Term Rental Program Review and Capacity Caps

Potential revenue impacts on tourism and bed tax collections depending on future density cap adjustments.

high↑Oct 2026[20]

Development Review Process Improvements

Streamlined development processes reduce project holding costs for applicants.

high→May 2026[19]

Hampton University Regional Economic and Workforce Impact

$488 million annual economic impact in Hampton Roads.

high→Jan 2026[19]

Retail Cannabis Zoning and Operational Regulations

The city will adopt a local cannabis sales and use tax between 1.5% and 3.5%.

high→Sep 2026[18]

Old Buckroe Road Residential Rezoning Proposal

Generates new private investment and future property tax revenues for the city.

critical↑May 2026[16]

Zoning Amendments for State Law Compliance & Nonprofit Affordable Housing

Reduced development costs for housing projects near transit corridors.

high↑Aug 2026[15]

Fort Monroe 60% Landscape Design Plan

$45 million in private investment for residential adaptive reuse.

critical↑Aug 2026[15]

Youth Violence Prevention and Safer Communities Grant

$3.12 million in state grant funding allocated to violence prevention and community support.

high↑Sep 2026[14]

election

Your tax dollars fund city operations, so picking the right council members directly impacts how your money is spent.

critical↓Feb 2026[14]

Regional Homelessness and Transitional Housing Initiatives

Potential expansion of homelessness and housing support funding in the FY 2027 budget.

high↓Jun 2026[13]

Subdivision Ordinance Updates and Cemetery Preservation Standards

None.

high↑Feb 2026[11]

Real Property Assessments and Charter Provisions

Affects individual property tax calculations based on future tax rate decisions by the city council.

medium↑Mar 2026[11]

Local Music Scene and Placemaking Recognition

high↓Aug 2026[10]

Pinnacle Apartments Phase 2 Expansion in Coliseum Central

Represents significant private investment in the Coliseum Central economic district.

low↑Oct 2026[10]

Spotlight on Citizen Engagement

high↑Oct 2026[10]

Armistead Avenue Rezoning and Industrial-to-Residential Conversion

Removes industrial zoning in favor of residential use, potentially altering land values.

medium↑Sep 2026[10]

Special Event Permitting and Neighborhood Infrastructure Concerns

Staff is reviewing special event fee structures and conducting ongoing infrastructure studies for the Shell Road corridor.

medium↑Oct 2026[10]

bridge closure

You might burn a bit more gas and time sitting in the inevitable detour traffic.

Decisions during term (224)

Recorded while Gray was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved7-0Oct 28, 2026

Consent Agenda: $8,000 appropriation for bond custodial fees (26-0311)

approved7-0Oct 28, 2026

Consent Agenda: Gift of real property at 4205 Victoria Boulevard (26-0329)

approved7-0Oct 28, 2026

Consent Agenda: 2027 General Assembly legislative priorities (26-0333)

approved7-0Oct 28, 2026

Consent Agenda: Initiating short-term rental zoning amendments (26-0335)

tabled7-0Oct 28, 2026

Deferral of Citizens Police Advisory Group appointment (26-0243)

approved7-0Oct 28, 2026

Appointments to Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities (26-0342)

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 28, 2026

Motion to enter closed session on Kecoughtan Road land disposition and appointments

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 28, 2026

Resolution certifying closed session

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 14, 2026

Closed Session for Legal Consultation and Litigation Updates

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 14, 2026

Resolution Certifying Closed Session

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

Consent Agenda Approval

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

Dumpster Enclosure Use Agreement for Phoebus

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

Police-Requested Towing Rate Amendments

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0285 Ordinance Vacating a Portion of a Certain Forty-Four Foot (44') Wide Unimproved Right-of-Way Designated as Barrack Street, Containing a Total of Approximately 0.3093 +/- Acres, or 13,474 +/- Square Feet, Abutting Parcels Owned by…

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0310 Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2027 City Council Approved Budget to Appropriate $2,343,690 of Fiscal Year 2026 State Carryover Funds to the General Fund's School Operating Fund to Offset the Impact of the Fiscal Year 2027…

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0277 Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2027 Council Approved Budget to Appropriate $7,217.90 from the General Fund’s Fund Balance (Bluebird Gap Farm Vending Feed Revenue) to the Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services Operating Budget

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0318 Resolution to Amend the City Council Approved Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Appropriate $7,274.95 from the Capital Projects Fund Restricted Fund Balance to the Capital Fund (Capital Projects Fund) for the Transportation Initiative…

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0309 Resolution Updating City Manager Chain of Command and Succession

approved7-0Oct 14, 2026

26-0316 Approval of the minutes from the legislative session of September 9, 2023, and the special and ceremonial meetings of September 23, 2026.

approved7-0Sep 23, 2026

Consent Agenda Approval

Voting record (266)

266 yes0 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

Motion to enter closed session on Kecoughtan Road land disposition and appointments

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

Resolution certifying closed session

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

approve the Consent Agenda

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

this Closed Session - Motion be approved

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

this Closed Session - Certification be approved

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

that this Appointment be deferred to the City Council Legislative Session, due back on 11/12/2026

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

to appoint Dominique Pierce Harrison to fill the unexpired portion of the term until June 30, 2028, and Sherry Hildebrant to fill the unexpired portion of the term until February 28, 2028

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

that this Appointment be deferred to the City Council Legislative Session, due back on 11/12/2026

Voted yesOct 28, 2026

to appoint Dominique Pierce Harrison to fill the unexpired portion of the term until June 30, 2028, and Sherry Hildebrant to fill the unexpired portion of the term until February 28, 2028.

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

that this Closed Session - Certification be approved

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

that this Closed Session - Motion be approved

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

that the City Council approve the resolution presented in Item No. 26-0303, approving and authorizing execution of a Dumpster Enclosure Agreement with Partnership for a new Phoebus, Inc.

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

that the City Council approve City Code Amendment 26-0323, amending and re-enacting Sections 21-213 and 21-215 regarding Police-Requested Towing, as presented in the agenda package.

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

Closed Session for Legal Consultation and Litigation Updates

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

Resolution Certifying Closed Session

Voted yesOct 14, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

the City Council adopt Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-0247, regarding revocation of Zoning Administrator Permits and appeals thereof, as presented in the agenda packet.

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

appoint Pride Harper, on an interim basis, as an alternate to Taylor La Dieu as the Health District’s representative and to appoint Leonard Sledge, Assistant City Manager, as the City Manager's repres

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Motion made to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

City Council approve the resolution presented in Item 26-0292, approving and authorizing execution of a lease agreement with Newport News Shipbuilding Employees’ Credit Union (d/b/a Bayport Credit Uni

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Appeal of Short-Term Rental Permit Revocation at 4 Millicent Court

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Zoning Ordinance Amendment for ZAP Revocations and Appeals

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Lease Agreement with BayPort Credit Union

Voted yesSep 23, 2026

Appointment to the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT)

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

that this Closed Session - Motion be approved

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

that this Closed Session - Certification be approved

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

Closed Session for Appointments

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

Resolution Certifying Closed Session

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

Motion made by Councilmember Mugler, seconded by Vice Mayor Brown, to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilmember Michelle Ferebee that the City Council direct staff to incorporate any public comments received and to finalize the 2025-2026 Consolidated annual Performance and Eva

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Steven Brown to approve Use Permit Application 26-0234 for a Private School at 100 Blackburn Lane, subject to thirteen (13) conditions as presented in the agenda packet

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

Councilmember Hope Harper moved that the City Council approve the resolution presented in Item 26-0279, approving and authorizing execution of a Purchase and Development Agreement with Bonaventure Dev

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

Vice Mayor Brown moved to adopt City Code Amendment 26-0238 updating and clarifying the Subdivision Ordinance, Chapter 35 of the City Code, as presented in the agenda packet.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to defer action on the Citizens Police Advisory Group until October 28, 2026.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilmember Randy Bowman, Sr. that the City Council approve Use Permit application 26-0249 for a Pawn Shop at 1531 E. Pembroke Avenue, subject to seven (7) conditions as present

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to appoint Michelle D'Antonio to serve the unexpired portion of a term until June 30, 2027.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to appoint Linwood Williams to a first term until September 30, 2030.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to appoint Myss Stephens to the unexpired portion of a term for District 6 (Buckroe) until February 28, 2028, a

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to appoint Dr. Irina Gorbunova-Ford to the unexpired portion of a term until December 31, 2028, and Pamela With

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper that Jonathan Oliveras be appointed until December 31, 2029.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to reappoint Stephanie Donati, Walter Dickerson, and Kathreen Tadrous to second terms until August 31, 2030.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to appoint Kathryn Weismann to serve a first term until September 30, 2029.

Voted yesSep 9, 2026

A motion was made by Councilwoman Martha Mugler and seconded by Councilwoman Hope Harper to reappoint Jeffrey Sandford to a second term until September 30, 2030.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

that this Use Permit be approved subject to twenty-one (21) conditions as presented in the agenda packet.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

that this Consent Item be deferred to the City Council Legislative Session, due back on 9/9/2026.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

to approve the rezoning application subject to eleven (11) proferred conditions as presented in the agenda packet.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

to approve the rezoning application subject to fourteen (14) proferred conditions as presented in the agenda packet.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

to approve the rezoning application subject to eighteen (18) proffered conditions and the user permit subject to eight (8) conditions.

Voted yesAug 12, 2026

that Council approve the 2026 Strategic Plan update as presented in the agenda packet.

In the news (1)