Bobby Dyer (politician)
Bobby Dyer | |
|---|---|
| 25th Mayor of Virginia Beach | |
| Assumed office November 20, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Will Sessoms |
| Member of the Virginia Beach City Council from the Centerville district | |
| In office July 1, 2004 – November 19, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Margaret Eure |
| Succeeded by | Sabrina Wooten |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 10, 1950 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Trish Dyer |
| Education | Saint Louis University (BS) Fairleigh Dickinson University (MPA) Regent University (PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1968–1972 |
Robert M. Dyer (born August 10, 1950) is an American politician who has served as the mayor of Virginia Beach, Virginia, since 2018.[1] Dyer previously served as a member of the Virginia Beach City Council for 14 years.
Early life and education
Dyer was born at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey.[2] He attended Irvington High School, leaving early to join the United States Marine Corps.[3] Dyer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from Saint Louis University, Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a PhD in organizational leadership from Regent University.[4]
Career
A Republican, Dyer served as a member of the Virginia Beach City Council for 14 years prior to his election as mayor. Dyer has also been a physical therapist for over 40 years and a professor of government at his alma mater, Regent University.[5][6] He won the November 2018 election for mayor despite being outraised by his opponent Ben Davenport nearly 5 to 1.[7]
Dyer ran for re-election for mayor in 2020. On June 9, 2020, Jody Wagner announced she would run for the seat; Dyer's previous opponent, City Councilman Aaron Rouse, ended his campaign on May 30, 2020.[8][9] Dyer won a second term as mayor against Wagner in the November 2020 election.[10]
Dyer ran for re-election for mayor in 2024, facing four opponents. Dyer won a third term as mayor against Councilmember Sabrina Wooten, former Councilmember John Moss, Councilmember Chris Taylor and Richard Kowalewitch.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Bobby Dyer | 82,201 | 51.8 | |
| Nonpartisan | M. Ben Davenport | 75,693 | 47.7 | |
| Write-in | 789 | 0.5 | ||
| Total votes | 158,683 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Bobby Dyer (incumbent) | 111,736 | 51.7 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jody Wagner | 94,507 | 43.7 | |
| Nonpartisan | Richard W. "RK" Kowalewitch | 9,251 | 4.2 | |
| Write-in | 335 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 215,829 | 100.0 | ||
See also
References
- ^ "A new mayor has been elected in Virginia Beach, Bobby Dyer". 13 News Now. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Who will become the next mayor of Virginia Beach?". The Virginian-Pilot. October 27, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ Miller, Ryan (March 29, 2019). "Meet the Mayor of Virginia Beach | Coastal Virginia Magazine". Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ "City Council Bios". City of Virginia Beach. Retrieved February 21, 2026.
- ^ Skelton, Alissa (November 16, 2018). "Councilman Bobby Dyer is becoming mayor of Virginia Beach. Here's how he intends to lead". The Virginian Post. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Skelton, Alissa (October 27, 2018). "Who will become the next mayor of Virginia Beach?". The Virginian Post. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Skelton, Alissa (November 6, 2018). "In Virginia Beach mayor's race, longtime councilman will become the new mayor". The Virginian Post. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ "Jody Wagner announces run for Virginia Beach Mayor". WTKR. June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ Arianna Herriott (May 30, 2020). "Virginia Beach City Councilman Aaron Rouse ends campaign for mayor". WTKR. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ "Jody Wagner concedes to Bobby Dyer in Virginia Beach Mayor race". WTKR. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ "2018 November General Official Results". Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "2020 November General Official Results". Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2020.