VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Councilman Aaron Rouse announced Thursday that he plans to run for mayor of the City of Virginia Beach.
He is hoping to unseat Mayor Bobby Dyer, who is running for reelection.
Rouse, a former NFL player, is a graduate of First Colonial High School and a Virginia Tech alumnus. He founded Rouse's House, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth, and has served on the Virginia Beach City Council since 2018.
Rouse released the following statement on his decision to run:
There has been chronic avoidance of tough, time sensitive issues like flooding and sea level rise, investing in infrastructure and education, and developing and retaining our workforce and military transitioning into the private sector. We have the talent, ability, and natural regional attributes to be the premiere destination to start a business, raise a family, and entertain our guests. Moving our city to the next step will require bold leadership, someone who will roll up their sleeves, work hard and build a consensus on council and throughout our city; someone who will make the tough decisions to move our city forward.
We are at a pivotal point in Virginia Beach, and now more than ever, leadership matters.
It is with great humility and excitement that I announce my candidacy to be the next mayor of Virginia Beach. Together, we are going to build a city of progress. A city with vision. A city of opportunity for each and every resident – from Pungo to Bayside, Salem to Seatack, and everywhere in between. Together, we are going to build a movement to take our city to the next level.
Councilman Aaron Rouse
Rouse will attend the 10 a.m. service at Mt. Olive Baptist church in the historic Seatack community of Virginia Beach on Sunday, March 1.
