Andrew Protogyrou
Andrew "Andy" A. Protogyrou was a member of the Norfolk City Council in Virginia, representing Ward 1. He was first elected to the seat in 2010 and won re-election in 2014. Protogyrou is a self-identified independent.[1]
While he was re-elected to a four-year term, his decision to run for mayor in the 2016 election forced him to automatically resign following the election, regardless of whether or not he won the mayoral race. He was defeated in the nonpartisan mayoral general election on May 3, 2016. Protogyrou focused his campaign on education, economic and port development, and regional cooperation.
From 2006 to 2010, Protogyrou served as a substitute judge on the Norfolk General District and Juvenile Domestic Relations Court.[2]
Biography
Protogyrou is a founding partner of the Protogyrou & Rigney law firm. earned his B.A. from the Virginia Military Institute and his J.D. from the University of Richmond. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a commissioned Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant in the Virginia Army National Guard (Infantry and Artillery Units) in Richmond and Norfolk from 1989 to 1994.[2][1]
Protogyrou and his wife, Kathy, have two children. He is a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral congregation.[2]
Elections
2016
The city of Norfolk, Virginia, held elections for mayor and city council on May 3, 2016. Two of the eight city council seats were up for election.[3] Kenny Alexander defeated Andrew Protogyrou and Robert McCabe in the Mayor of Norfolk general election.
| Mayor of Norfolk, General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Kenny Alexander |
51.63% | 16,352 |
| Andrew Protogyrou | 25.32% | 8,019 |
| Robert McCabe | 22.97% | 7,274 |
| Write-in votes | 0.09% | 28 |
| Total Votes | 31,673 | |
| Source: Norfolk, Virginia, "General Election May 3, 2015: Unofficial Results," accessed May 3, 2015 | ||
2014
Elections for the city council of Norfolk, Virginia were held on May 6, 2014. Incumbent Andrew Protogyrou was unopposed for the Ward 1 seat.[4][5]
| Norfolk City Council, Ward 1, 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Andrew Protogyrou Incumbent |
97.8% | 1,210 | |
| Write-in | 2.2% | 27 | |
| Total Votes | 1,237 | ||
| Source: Virginia State Board of Elections | |||
Campaign themes
2016
Ballotpedia survey
Protogyrou participated in Ballotpedia's 2016 survey of municipal government candidates. The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what his top priority would be if elected, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | I'm part of a new generation of reformers and doers on City Council who have been in office for a few years and who, under my leadership as Mayor, can transform vision into a reality that continues moving the city forward. I will strengthen transparency in government, improve education, expand economic development, advance regional cooperation and enhance our port's attraction.[1][6] | ” |
When asked what he would most like to change about the city, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | Norfolk’s schools have a number of positives. We need to change the perception – and the reality – of the quality of education in Norfolk in order to further attract businesses and to bring more families living in Norfolk.[1][6] | ” |
When asked what he is most proud of about the city, the candidate made the following statement:
| “ | We are in a renaissance of economic and business development that is providing opportunity to every citizen to obtain a good job and earn a decent standard of life in areas that encompass more than just downtown. I pushed for Wards Corner development with a $7.25M investment that's resulting in 700 new jobs, $1M in new tax revenue and over $22M in private investment.[1][6] | ” |
Ranking the issues
The candidate was asked to rank the following issues by importance in the city, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important. This table displays this candidate's rankings from most to least important:
| Issue importance ranking | |
|---|---|
| Candidate's ranking | Issue |
| K-12 education | |
| Unemployment | |
| Crime reduction/prevention | |
| Housing | |
| Government transparency | |
| Transportation | |
| Civil rights | |
| Homelessness | |
| Environment | |
| City services (trash, utilities, etc.) | |
| Public pensions/retirement funds | |
| Recreational opportunities | |
Positions on the issues
The candidate was asked to answer four questions from Ballotpedia regarding issues facing cities across America. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column:
| Question | Response |
|---|---|
| Very important | |
| State | |
| It’s important that our law enforcement community understand how to recognize and deal with those whom they encounter who suffer from mental illness. Our police now have about 250 officers trained in this model. Our goal is to train an additional fifty officers by year’s end. I have demanded from the city manager a police force that reflects the racial and ethnic makeup of our community; one that also reflects this same diversity in its leadership ranks. We need to build a bridge of trust and confidence between law enforcement and Norfolk’s diverse population. I believe the best way to achieve that is through the substantive and transparent explanation of complaints to our citizens. Other cities have used a police commission model and I believe a study of such a model should be discussed and hearings held regarding its implementation. | |
| Incentives have attracted businesses to Norfolk's downtown and Military Circle Mall. Incentives should be performance based, predicated by expectations meeting reality. We'll establish a business planning concierge service to help new businesses through a shortened permitting process. We'll attract more artists, patrons and visitors to our Arts District with new galleries and eateries. More craft beer breweries and brewpubs will gravitate into two Beer Districts. I foresee a brewery tourism plan with people traveling to Norfolk's Brewery Districts the way they do to our state's wine country to tour and sample. We'll pursue expanding MacArthur Mall's footprint to develop the third anchor site with other retailers or residences. As well as, continue city center living developments, attract a grocery store to downtown and push marina development along the entire waterfront. |
Campaign website
Protogyrou highlighted the following issues on his campaign website:
- Education:
| “ | We moved to elected school board members. I pushed for that and we got it done. As your Mayor, we will next create a Blue Ribbon Commission of educators, parents, business leaders, other stakeholders and thought leaders to identify and prioritize the stepping-stones needed to provide all our city’s children with a quality education. We’ll look at ideas like a longer school year with longer days, already a recommendation from the Poverty Commission. We’ll work toward expanded principal autonomy and performance-based raises, substantive teacher pay raises, universal pre-K and reduced class sizes. The Internet provides a doorway to knowledge, information and learning. I’ll ask NRHA to develop a plan that establishes free Wi-Fi in public housing areas. Our children living there need the same access to the Internet as do children living elsewhere. Our Community Technical School is taking on a regional focus, something I requested and got implemented, that centers on proficiencies in ship repair, construction industry, cyber-technologies, geriatric care, physical therapy, child care and other skills demanded by Norfolk’s economy.[6] | ” |
| —Andrew Protogyrou's campaign website (2016)[7] | ||
- Economic development:
| “ | Small business incubation is a cornerstone of prosperity. We have a number of empty, city-owned spaces throughout Norfolk. We’ll provide free rent and free Wi-Fi for a limited period of time to entrepreneurs seeking to start new businesses. We’ll give those businesses a break from the Business/Professional/Occupational Licenses (BPOL) tax. We’ll establish a business planning concierge service to help new businesses through a shortened permitting process. We’ll attract more artists, patrons and visitors to our Arts District with new galleries and eateries. More craft beer breweries and brewpubs will gravitate into two Beer Districts. I foresee a brewery tourism plan with people traveling to Norfolk’s Brewery Districts the way they do to our state’s wine country to tour and sample. We’ll pursue expanding MacArthur Mall’s footprint to bring a third anchor and other retailers there, continue city center living developments, attract a major grocery store to downtown and push for marina development.[6] | ” |
| —Andrew Protogyrou's campaign website (2016)[7] | ||
- Port development:
| “ | We will develop Norfolk as the preferred east coast destination for maritime trade and commerce. We can achieve this by opening offices in New York City and in Europe. These will help brand our port and promote the benefits that Norfolk has over competing ports in Baltimore, Newark, Charleston, and Savannah. Our railways, improving infrastructure, climate, quality of life and capable workforce make Norfolk an ideal hub for maritime trade and commerce. We know that. Now we need to make sure the rest of the world learns that, too. With such increased awareness will come more maritime company headquarters, support activities and jobs.[6] | ” |
| —Andrew Protogyrou's campaign website (2016)[7] | ||
- Regional cooperation:
| “ | Norfolk’s social and economic success is tied to the interests of other cities in Hampton Roads. As importantly, the social and economic successes of other cities in Hampton Roads are tied to the interests of Norfolk. Not every city can have a major sports franchise. Not every city can have a major corporate headquarters. Not every city can have a major tourist attraction. Competition is good. But by working together we can develop a shared harmony of interests that improve every city’s economic success and enhance the quality of life for the people who live in every city. I will work hard to build and maintain strong bridges among the leadership of each Hampton Roads city because together we can contribute to each other’s success. Norfolk’s Office of Economic Development will continue to meet with its counterparts. We will support efforts of other cities, such as Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, to expand light rail into a regional system that helps attract new businesses and that serves transportation needs. When any city looks to a new project, Norfolk will call to ask, “How can we help?” And when Norfolk pursues an opportunity, I won’t hesitate to reach out to those other cities so that they can help make our goal a reality.[6] | ” |
| —Andrew Protogyrou's campaign website (2016)[7] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Andy Protogyrou' Norfolk. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Municipal elections in Norfolk, Virginia (2016)
- Norfolk, Virginia city council elections, 2014
- United States municipal elections, 2016
- United States municipal elections, 2014
External links
- Norfolk City Council website
- Biography from the Norfolk City Council
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook page
- Twitter account
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2016, "Andrew Protogyrou's Responses," March 29, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 City of Norfolk, "Bio," accessed April 25, 2014
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections, "Media Calendar 2013-2017," accessed September 30, 2015
- ↑ City of Norfolk, "Qualified Candidates for May 6, 2014 General Election," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Official election results," accessed May 6, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Andy Protogyrou for Norfolk Mayor, "Issues," accessed February 10, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Norfolk City Council Ward 1 2010 - June 30, 2016 |
Succeeded by Martin Thomas Jr. |
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State of Virginia Richmond (capital) |
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