Joe Morrissey wins Petersburg City Council seat, unseating 16-year incumbent

Joe Morrissey, a former Virginia senator with a long and controversial political history, has won a seat on the Petersburg City Council by defeating Howard W. Myers, who had held the position for 16 years, WRIC reported.

According to WTVR CBS 6, early vote tallies showed Morrissey leading in the 5th Ward race, though official results still require certification. Morrissey expressed intentions to bring transparency to the council and work collaboratively to improve Petersburg.

Morrissey's political career includes serving as Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney in the 1990s, as well as terms in the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia State Senate. He also ran unsuccessfully for Richmond mayor in 2016, WTVR noted.

His career has been marked by controversy, including a conviction related to contributing to the delinquency of a minor, for which he was later pardoned by outgoing Governor Ralph Northam in early 2022. Morrissey has been disbarred twice and has described himself as “Fighting Joe.”

Morrissey’s return to elected office in Petersburg marks a significant political comeback after years of legal and personal challenges, signaling a new chapter in his involvement in local government.

The Petersburg City Council will soon include Morrissey as a member, pending official certification of the election results.