Jeff Staples

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jeff Staples

Independent

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Lynchburg, 1984

Personal

Birthplace

Virginia

Religion

Gnostic Christian

Contact

Campaign website

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Jeff Staples ran for election to the Chesapeake City Council in Virginia. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Staples completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jeff Staples was born in Virginia. He received a B.A. in history from the University of Lynchburg in 1984. Staples' professional experience includes working as a automotive repair professional. He has been involved with the Chesapeake Bay Group Sierra Club.

Elections

2024

See also: City elections in Chesapeake, Virginia (2024)

General election

General election for Chesapeake City Council (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Chesapeake City Council on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		S.Z. Ritter (Nonpartisan)	16.2	50,547
✔		Les Smith Jr. (Nonpartisan)	15.8	49,252
✔		Patricia King (Nonpartisan)	15.7	49,073
	Submit photo	Jeff Jefferies (Nonpartisan)	14.9	46,401
		Eric Wray (Nonpartisan)	13.3	41,445
		Reagan Davis (Nonpartisan)	12.0	37,525
		Robert Ike (Nonpartisan)	4.3	13,308
	Submit photo	Jennifer Naperala (Nonpartisan)	4.2	12,989
		Jeff Staples (Nonpartisan)	3.2	9,933
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	1,204

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 311,677
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Staples in this election.

2021

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 81

Incumbent Barry Knight defeated Jeffrey Feld in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 81 on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Barry Knight (R)	57.7	17,271
		Jeffrey Feld (D)	41.8	12,503
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	161

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,935
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jeff Staples (Independent)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Jeffrey Feld advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 81.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Barry Knight advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 81.

2019

See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2019

General election

General election for Virginia State Senate District 5

Incumbent Lionell Spruill defeated Jeff Staples in the general election for Virginia State Senate District 5 on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lionell Spruill (D)	79.2	31,576
		Jeff Staples (Independent)	19.6	7,812
		Other/Write-in votes	1.1	457

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,845
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2017

General election

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017. Incumbent Cliff Hayes (D) defeated Jeff Staples (Green) in the Virginia House of Delegates District 77 general election.

Virginia House of Delegates, District 77 General Election, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Cliff Hayes Incumbent	83.06%	16,483
	Green	Jeff Staples	16.94%	3,362
Total Votes				19,845
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

Democratic primary election

Incumbent Cliff Hayes ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 77 Democratic primary.

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.

Virginia House of Delegates, District 77 Democratic Primary, 2017
Candidate
Cliff Hayes Incumbent

Republican primary election

No Republican candidate filed to run for this seat.

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.

Virginia House of Delegates, District 77 Republican Primary, 2017
Candidate

2015

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2015

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015. Incumbent Barry Knight was unopposed in the Republican primary. Jeff Staples ran as a Green Party candidate. Knight defeated Staples in the general election.

Virginia House of Delegates, District 81 General Election, 2015
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Barry Knight Incumbent	69.6%	5,429
	Green	Jeff Staples	30.4%	2,367
Total Votes				7,796

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jeff Staples completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Staples' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jeff Staples is a native Virginian and moved to Chesapeake in 2002, from Virginia Beach. He has been an advocate for social and conservation issues for many decades. Jeff is currently the Founder and Director of a non-profit that advocates for the ecological and historical integrity of the Great Dismal Swamp. He is also an Independent Candidate for Chesapeake City Council.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Lynchburg, he worked as many as 3 part time jobs to support earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He then continued on in his career as an automotive repair professional, and also owned an automotive tool sales business. Jeff is a dedicated outdoorsman who hunts, fishes and camps across Virginia from the mountains to the sea. His resulting passion for a clean environment and clean government, have resulted in countless hours of volunteering, organizing and action. Jeff has been a candidate for the Virginia legislature in the past.

He has never accepted any corporate donations. He looks forward to serving the people of Chesapeake.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I will never take money from developers and/or corporations
• I will not approve any new residential developments in a school zone that is at or above rated capacity.
• I will seek to increase the number of schools to alleviate the overcrowding problem.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Quality of life for existing citizens.

Environmental impacts.
School overcrowding.
Traffic.

Parks, Recreation and Senior Services.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

It affect the citizens the most of all levels of government on a daily basis.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Linwood Holton, and Henry Howell. Both were willing to buck their political parties and do the right thing.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity and Trust.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be a representative of the people, not the big businesses and the wealthy interest.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Lunar Landing, 1969. I was 8 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Automotive Service and Repair, 42 years.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Back door dealing and influence pedaling are rampant.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

They need to at least be aware of the process. But being a citizen, makes you eligble for elected office.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Critical thinking, empathy, listening and being willing to do the the right thing.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

All should be transparent and accountable.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2021

Jeff Staples did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

Jeff Staples completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Staples' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Work to increase the quality of life through employment and fair legislation for all Virginians.

End Corporate influence over the state government.

Trend toward developing renewable energies for jobs, clean air and water.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Social and Environmental Justice

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Linwood Holton, former Governor of Virginia. He was able to forge an alliance between working classes of all races. Pro worker legislation was made and the environment was made a priority.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2017

Ballotpedia candidate survey

Staples participated in a survey created by Ballotpedia. The survey was designed to let our readers know more about the candidates and feel confident that they are voting for the best person to represent them. The survey questions appear bolded, and Staples' responses follow below.

Who are your constituents?

“	The people in the 77th District	”
—Jeff Staples

What is the primary job of a state legislator in your view?

“	Provide a voice for those that you represent.	”
—Jeff Staples

As a publicly elected leader, who would you emulate? Who do you look up to? Why? What characteristics/values are most important for a legislator?

“	Linwood Holton and Henry Howell, two Virginia leaders who built racially diverse working class movements and worked to protect the environment.	”
—Jeff Staples

What is your general philosophy when it comes to economics, jobs, and growth? Do you have any more specific ideas related to these concepts?

“	I am pro jobs and pro economc growth when it comes to industries that are sustainable. Electronics, clean energy and data are the future. The fossil fuel industry is in t's wanining days, no use in training workers in those fields.	”
—Jeff Staples

What kind of legacy would you like to leave?

“	To have helped to facillitate postive change.	”
—Jeff Staples

Ideally, what should the government’s role in a state’s healthcare system be? Are there any healthcare policies, actual or hypothetical, that you have an opinion on?

“	Single Payer, good for everybody, employers are freed from the responsibility and all have access to what should be a human right, healthcare.	”
—Jeff Staples

How should the state manage its relations with military veterans?

“	Making healthcare availability as convenient as possiblle.	”
—Jeff Staples

In regard to economic and business regulations such as the minimum wage and professional licensing, what role do you think the state should play?

“	We should regulate that to keep wages up to date and to ensure that competent people are doing certain jobs.	”
—Jeff Staples

What do you think about the relationship between religion and laws that regulate discrimination in employment or public accommodations?

“	Religion should not be a factor in the decisions of government other than the protection of the right to practice every religion.	”
—Jeff Staples

What is your opinion on the roles of police officers and protesters, respectively, in the public space? Are there any specific events that have influenced your thinking?

“	I am very muchin favor of the 1st amendment protections of the right to gather. The role of the Police should be to protect the people and property at the events, not to be instigators. If there is a need to act because property or persons are threatened, then they should act with as little physical activity as possible.	”
—Jeff Staples

How should the state legislature view areas with natural resources (such as coastlines) when developing economic policy?

“	They should view it as a resource that should not be threatened.	”
—Jeff Staples

What would your approach be to issues related to crime and incarceration?

“	Relax some of the mandatory terms for crimes such as marijuana violations.	”
—Jeff Staples

How do you think of policies that are targeted at a specific gender? What do you think the state legislature should do in regard to these policies?

“	Make sure that they benefit the gender being under represented by the policies in order to balance the scales.	”
—Jeff Staples

Do you have an opinion on the role of campaign finance in legislative politics?

“	Yes, overturn Citizens United. No Corporate or PAC money should be allowed to be given to legislators.	”
—Jeff Staples

What one reform or policy change is most important to you?

“	Again, campaign finance. I believe if we fix this issue, the others will shortly thereafter, fall into place.	”
—Jeff Staples

How do you view the current state of transportation and infrastructure in Virginia? What role, if any, should the state have in those two areas?

“	Terrible, the state should take a more active role in the transit systems and VDOT should have a more aggressive infrastructure replacement program that utilizes VDOT workers, not public/Private Partnerships.	”
—Jeff Staples

How do you view the current state of prescription opioid use in America?

“	Terrible, we need to act quickly.	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your views on abortion? How would these views affect you in your position as state legislator?

“	Pro-Choice. I will vote accordingly	”
—Jeff Staples

Describe how you envision the ideal relationship between the state of Virginia and the District of Columbia.

“	As an independent state.	”
—Jeff Staples

Which areas of spending will you prioritize for funding and support?

“	Education. Job training.	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your thoughts on higher education? What should the state do, if anything, to increase accessibility?

“	Free 2 years of Community College eduction in the vocational fields.	”
—Jeff Staples

In recent months, monuments in public spaces and what to do with them have been thrust into the news cycle. What is your opinion about what government should do with existing monuments in public spaces?

“	It should be left up to the localities. Monuments could be placed at battlefields and cemeteries.	”
—Jeff Staples

Should Virginia have a law that requires people to use the bathroom corresponding with the gender on their birth certificate? Are there any policies related to this issue that you have an opinion on?

“	No.	”
—Jeff Staples

What is your opinion on Virginia’s K-12 education system? What issues are important and how can the state legislature address them?

“	It is underfunded. We should have more teacher input on advisory boards/	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your views on proposed oil pipelines that would cross Virginia? In general, how should the state legislature address issues related to environmental regulation?

“	I am opposed to the fracked gas pipelines that are proposed. These should be addressed with environmental concerns and the future of pertinent job creation,	”
—Jeff Staples

What do you think Virginia’s economy will look like in 10 years? 20 years? What should the state legislature be doing, if anything, to prepare for the future?

“	Giving us more clean energy projects.	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your views on how Virginia draws lines for congressional and state legislative districts? If you could make changes to the system, what would they be?

“	Have an independent panel draw them up.	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your feelings on Virginia’s current firearms policies?

“	I support universal background checks.	”
—Jeff Staples

What are your opinions on Virginia’s current taxation policies, for individuals or corporations? Is there anything that you would change?

“	We should give less corporate subsidies and raises the taxes on those who make more that $250,00 a year. I would also like to see a 1/2% tax on all stock and bond transactions.	”
—Jeff Staples

What is your opinion on income disparities in Virginia?

“	We have to address this problem by changing taxes, promoting vocational education and raising the minimum wage.	”
—Jeff Staples

What economic and social differences are there between rural and urban Virginia? How should government policies address different regions, if at all?

“	Give some more latitude to local governments.	”
—Jeff Staples

What is the state of race relations in Virginia and the United States at large? How do you think about the government’s role in race relations, particularly the state legislature?

“	We could make race relations better by addressing disparity issues.	”
—Jeff Staples

What should the state’s relationship be with immigrants who are living in Virginia without legal permission?

“	Since that is a Federal issue, we should let them handle that issue.	”
—Jeff Staples

Who do you think the key stakeholders are in Virginia politics? Do you have opinions on any of these stakeholders or ways in which you would approach them as a state legislator?

“	The utilities and developers are the key stakeholders now, we need to focus more on the people.	”
—Jeff Staples

Candidate website

Staples described his political philosophy to Ballotpedia in an email on August 9, 2017, as follows:

“

I would like to see our state legislature return to addressing the concerns of the people, not the big corporations. I will not accept corporate money. I would like to see our District re-develop it's industrial, commercial and residential areas. I also would like to see our public schools fully funded, medicare expansion and the minimum wage increased. We also must address job creation through new clean energy expansion and train our these workers in expanded vocational programs. The future is now, we need to move forward.

”

Staples' campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“

Re-Development of unused urban residential and industrial areas. The current rush to build on farmland, forest and swampland in the southern sections of our cities needs to be addressed. Currently our Southeast Virginia's rural heritage is being threatened by continued expansion, while areas in the northern urban areas of our cities sit idle. Reclamation of existing previously used lands and buildings is preferable to building projects far from existing city services. Currently, developers are overcrowding schools and roads in the farming areas while leaving abandonded areas already zoned for their projects behind. They also offer nothing to the cities to develop infrastructure. They do hand out large "campaign" contributions to politicians that seem to have no interest in creating the job opportunities needed in the urban districts. I will introduce legislation to give incentives for urban reclamation and to stop residential development in school zones that are already above 100% capacity. Let's save our green spaces and create jobs where they are needed. Coal Ash Disposal The coal ash disposal problem is one that could have been avoided by Dominion Power if they had disposed of this toxic, polluting substance the right way all along. There are now 3 million tons of coal ash, leaching arsenic and other chemicals into the Elizabeth River. The only real solution to this problem is for the utility to dig it up and transport it to a synthetically lined landfill, well inland. This is a ticking time bomb on the banks of the Elizabeth River and the site is prone to erosion from thunderstorms, sea level rise and hurricanes. It is worth noting that the amount of coal ash that escaped and killed 60 plus miles of the Dan River is only about 1 percent of what lies in the unlined coal ash ponds located at the Chesapeake Energy Center.

”

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