Blythe Scott

Blythe Scott

Democratic Party

Candidate, Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue

Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue

Tenure

2021 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

4

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 2, 2021

Next election

November 4, 2025

Appointed

2021

Education

Bachelor's

Princeton University, 1995

Law

University of Virginia School of Law, 1998

Personal

Birthplace

Halifax, Va.

Religion

Christian

Contact

Campaign website

Blythe Scott (Democratic Party) is the Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue in Virginia. She assumed office in 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2026.

Scott (Democratic Party) is running for re-election for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue in Virginia. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. The Democratic primary for this office on June 17, 2025, was canceled.

Biography

Blythe Scott was born in Halifax, Virginia. Scott's professional experience includes practicing law and managing law offices. She earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in 1995 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998. Scott has been affiliated with the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Bar Association, and Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Norfolk, Virginia (2025)

General election

General election for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue

Incumbent Blythe Scott is running in the general election for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Blythe Scott (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Blythe Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2021

See also: City elections in Norfolk, Virginia (2021)

General election

General election for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue

Incumbent Blythe Scott defeated Adam Goldberg and Nicole Sanders in the general election for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Blythe Scott (D)	49.8	27,751
		Adam Goldberg (Independent)	25.8	14,365
		Nicole Sanders (Independent)	23.8	13,251
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	370

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 55,737
= 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.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Blythe Scott advanced from the Democratic primary for Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue.

Endorsements

To view Scott's endorsements in the 2021 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2021

Blythe Scott completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Scott's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Blythe was born in Halifax County, Virginia and graduated from Princeton University ('95) and the University of Virginia School of Law ('98). She practiced law and managed law offices for 18 years prior to joining the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office in 2017 as Chief Deputy. She became Commissioner upon her predecessor's resignation in 2021. She has lived in Norfolk for 19 years where she raised three adult children with her husband. She volunteers her time with Lifelong Learning, Virginia Symphony, Library of Virginia, YWCA, 4Kids Inc., The Williams School, Norfolk State University Foundation, Norfolk Airport Authority, and Eastern Virginia Medical School. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Bar Association, Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association, and has been affiliated with the James Kent Inn of Court.

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?

• Outstanding customer service is our priority. Our office's sole purpose is to serve the residents and businesses of Norfolk to the best of our ability with professionalism, courtesy, and knowledge.
• We will continue to make Norfolk a great place to do business by streamlining the process of establishing and maintaining these drivers of the local economy.
• We prioritize innovation and efficiency to save Norfolk tax payers time and money.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Although not directly related to my position as Commissioner of the Revenue, I am personally passionate about education. My parents grew up attending all Black schools in the segregated South and not once did they allow that to define them, or my sister, or me. I was not allowed to set limits on where I could go in life or who I could be, because my parents insisted that I develop a love of learning and prioritize education. I had the privilege of attending some wonderful schools and I want to extend quality educational opportunities to as many people as possible. Nearly all of my volunteer efforts revolve around organizations that emphasize education in children and adults. A well-educated public will inevitably result in increased numbers of new and thriving businesses here in Norfolk and I hope that my public service will help in this regard.

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

This office is charged with issuing business licenses, performing audits to make sure businesses collect and pay sales taxes, and assessing personal and business property. These are essential to making sure that state and local governments have the resources to provide essential services needed by all.

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

I look up to my late Aunt Grace Harris. Grace was aptly named, but she was also well-educated, smart, dignified, and capable. From a humble beginning in Halifax, Virginia she became highly educated and rose to become Provost and twice the Acting President at Virginia Commonwealth University. Grace was a confident person because she worked hard and knew so much about every job she was asked to perform. That is because she never stopped learning. I do my best to follow her example by continuing to learn about my job and the citizens and businesses of Norfolk every day.

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

Integrity, knowledge, and a willingness to serve people you do not know and will likely never meet are essential for an elected official. The public must know that its trust has been placed in an honest person who has the understanding to perform at a high level and is willing to serve the wider public.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have integrity, a strong work ethic, and the desire to keep learning. The laws that dictate the powers of this office are varied and they change often. I am happy to put in the work to stay on top of them apply them equally to all the citizens and businesses of Norfolk.

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

The core responsibilities of this office are three fold: 1) to faithfully execute applicable laws, statutes, and ordinances; 2) apply them to all citizens and businesses equally; and 3) to faithfully steward taxpayer funds.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of outstanding stewardship of taxpayer funds and superb customer service at the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue. We are saving taxpayer dollars by streamlining processes and I personally demand that my staff treat all customers with dignity and respect. I hope to ingrain these behaviors to the point that they will continue long after I am out of office.

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

The first historical event that I remember was the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979. I was 6 years old at the time.

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

My very first job was working in my father's small grocery store on the outskirts of Halifax, Virginia. Everyday after getting off the school bus I helped around the store and learned how important small businesses are to communities both large and small. I had the job until I started participating in sports in high school.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have often times struggled to be taken seriously in professional settings as a woman of color. Whether in a court of law, or a boardroom, or other settings, I have too often had to prove my bona fides while others did not have to jump through that hoop. That is getting better and I hope that my daughters will have less of a struggle than I had.

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

This office offers Department of Motor Vehicles services and new in 2021 disabled veteran relief and military tax exemptions on one vehicle is available for qualifying individuals. We are also responsible for making sure the taxes we all pay on food and goods are passed on by business owners.

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

I believe prior government service is beneficial to performing the duties of this office. I had never held a tax payer funded job until 2017. Having always worked in the private sector, I approached the job from a fresh perspective, which I maintain to this day. The 3+ years I spent as Chief Deputy allowed me to grow into the job and learn how to best leverage the strengths of government while at the same time mitigating its inherent shortcomings.

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

Possessing the expertise to accurately interpret and apply statutes and ordinances coupled with an ability to advocate from the perspective of citizens and businesses to other city departments and governmental entities are most helpful. My years in the legal profession have provided me with that set of skills and expertise.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8, 9!
I know it's corny but I think it's hilarious and I like numbers!

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Candidate

Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue

Website

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue 2021-Present	Succeeded by -