James W. Holley, III
Encyclopedia
James W. Holley, III is an American politician
and retired dental surgeon. Holley served two terms as mayor
of Portsmouth, Virginia
. Both terms ended with his being recalled
from office, making him the only known politician in American history to be twice recalled.
in 1944, Holley served in the United States Army
during World War II
, stationed in Camp Livingston
in Louisiana
. Following the war, he attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
in 1949. From there he went to Washington, D.C.
where he attended dental school at the Howard University College of Dentistry
, graduating in 1955. He has also received an honorary law degree from West Virginia State. He attended college on the G.I. Bill. During a reception in the late 1950s, Holley met Virginia Union University
student Mary Walker; the couple would marry in 1960.
Holley joined the battle for civil rights in the 1950s and '60s, and played an integral role in the desegregation of Portsmouth, winning court battles which allowed for the equal use of the city's libraries, hospitals, restaurants and golf courses. During the course of his involvement in the civil rights movement, Holley entertained Martin Luther King, Jr.
at his home on multiple occasions.
from 1968 to 1984, and was vice-mayor from 1978 to 1980. Upon his election in 1968, he became the first African American
to serve on Portsmouth's City Council. He has twice held the office of mayor, first from July 1, 1984, to December 15, 1987, and again from July 1996 to July 13, 2010. Holley was also the first African American mayor in the city's history. His first term came to an end when he was forced from office following an expense account scandal, becoming the first Virginia
politician in modern times to be recalled. Another factor in Holley's removal from office was his being linked to hate mail
that was sent to community leaders.
In May 2008 Holley was re-elected as mayor, narrowly defeating challenger Martha Ann Creecy in the first contested mayoral election in Portsmouth since 1996. He was recalled for a second time on July 13, 2010. The effort to recall Holley began in 2009 after an assistant made a confidential complaint of verbal abuse and of being required by Holley to perform his personal errands while working on city time. The complaint was subsequently leaked to the press. The accusations prompted the Portsmouth City Council to fine Holley $2,500 and ask him to retire, citing a pattern of mistreating subordinates. After Holley refused to retire, his opponents mounted a recall petition citing the allegations against him and alleging his inability competently lead the city. The petition gathered 8000 signatures, which a judge deemed sufficient to force the ballot question of Holley's recall on July 13, 2010.
Though an Independent, Holley has backed both Democrats
and Republicans
running for office, including Hillary Rodham Clinton
's 2008 presidential bid and former Senator
George Allen
's 2006 re-election bid
. He also made a campaign contribution to Barack Obama
.
Holley drew criticism in 2008 for suggesting that Portsmouth needed a "black" hotel to act as a counter-balance to the "white" Renaissance Hotel. Holley was an early supporter of the Renaissance; his portrait hangs in the lobby, and the hotel's ballroom is named the "Holley Ballroom." He later apologized for the remark, saying that his words were "misconstrued" and "misinterpreted."
along with former Virginia Beach mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf
in a feature chronicling U.S. mayors.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and retired dental surgeon. Holley served two terms as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
. Both terms ended with his being recalled
Recall election
A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended...
from office, making him the only known politician in American history to be twice recalled.
Early life
After graduating from Portsmouth's I. C. Norcom High SchoolI. C. Norcom High School
I.C. Norcom High School is a public high school located in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is administered by Portsmouth City Public Schools. The school colors are maroon and grey, and the nickname is the Greyhounds. The school was named after Israel Charles Norcom, its first supervising principal.I. C...
in 1944, Holley served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, stationed in Camp Livingston
Camp Livingston
Camp Livingston was a U.S. Army military camp during World War II located on the Rapides Parish and Grant Parish line in north Louisiana, north of Pineville, Louisiana.- History :...
in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. Following the war, he attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1949. From there he went to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
where he attended dental school at the Howard University College of Dentistry
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, graduating in 1955. He has also received an honorary law degree from West Virginia State. He attended college on the G.I. Bill. During a reception in the late 1950s, Holley met Virginia Union University
Virginia Union University
Virginia Union University is a historically black university located in Richmond, Virginia, United States. It took its present name in 1899 upon the merger of two older schools, Richmond Theological Institute and Wayland Seminary, each founded after the end of American Civil War by the American...
student Mary Walker; the couple would marry in 1960.
Holley joined the battle for civil rights in the 1950s and '60s, and played an integral role in the desegregation of Portsmouth, winning court battles which allowed for the equal use of the city's libraries, hospitals, restaurants and golf courses. During the course of his involvement in the civil rights movement, Holley entertained Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
at his home on multiple occasions.
Politics
Holley first served as a member of the Portsmouth City CouncilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
from 1968 to 1984, and was vice-mayor from 1978 to 1980. Upon his election in 1968, he became the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to serve on Portsmouth's City Council. He has twice held the office of mayor, first from July 1, 1984, to December 15, 1987, and again from July 1996 to July 13, 2010. Holley was also the first African American mayor in the city's history. His first term came to an end when he was forced from office following an expense account scandal, becoming the first Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
politician in modern times to be recalled. Another factor in Holley's removal from office was his being linked to hate mail
Hate mail
Hate mail is a form of harassment, usually consisting of invective and potentially intimidating or threatening comments towards the recipient...
that was sent to community leaders.
In May 2008 Holley was re-elected as mayor, narrowly defeating challenger Martha Ann Creecy in the first contested mayoral election in Portsmouth since 1996. He was recalled for a second time on July 13, 2010. The effort to recall Holley began in 2009 after an assistant made a confidential complaint of verbal abuse and of being required by Holley to perform his personal errands while working on city time. The complaint was subsequently leaked to the press. The accusations prompted the Portsmouth City Council to fine Holley $2,500 and ask him to retire, citing a pattern of mistreating subordinates. After Holley refused to retire, his opponents mounted a recall petition citing the allegations against him and alleging his inability competently lead the city. The petition gathered 8000 signatures, which a judge deemed sufficient to force the ballot question of Holley's recall on July 13, 2010.
Though an Independent, Holley has backed both Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
running for office, including Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
's 2008 presidential bid and former Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
George Allen
George Allen (U.S. politician)
George Felix Allen is a former United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former NFL head coach George Allen. Allen served Virginia in the state legislature, as the 67th Governor, and in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, winning election to the Senate in 2000...
's 2006 re-election bid
Virginia United States Senate election, 2006
The 2006 United States Senate election in Virginia was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator George Allen ran for re-election to a second term, but lost to Democrat Jim Webb.-Background:...
. He also made a campaign contribution to Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Holley drew criticism in 2008 for suggesting that Portsmouth needed a "black" hotel to act as a counter-balance to the "white" Renaissance Hotel. Holley was an early supporter of the Renaissance; his portrait hangs in the lobby, and the hotel's ballroom is named the "Holley Ballroom." He later apologized for the remark, saying that his words were "misconstrued" and "misinterpreted."
Fashion
Holley is known for his stylish dress. He appeared in the September 2007 issue of EsquireEsquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
along with former Virginia Beach mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf
Meyera E. Oberndorf
Meyera E. Oberndorf was the 23rd mayor of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was Virginia Beach's longest serving mayor, and she previously served as the city's vice mayor. She was the city's first female mayor and was the first woman elected to public office in the more than 300-year history of...
in a feature chronicling U.S. mayors.