By Mike Saewitz
The Virginian-Pilot
CHESAPEAKE — A day after he left the Republican party, Chesapeake Councilman C.E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr. announced Saturday that he will become a Democrat.
“I’d rather be disliked for who I am than to be loved for who I am not,” Hayes told a group of 20 friends and supporters at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Chesapeake.
Hayes said that he didn’t like the direction of the Republican Party on issues such as affordable housing and economic development.
Although some Republican City Council members have supported issues such as the revitalization of South Norfolk, where Hayes grew up, the local party has not been behind that goal, he said.
Hayes said he has had more success building coalitions with City Council Democrats and independents.
Two Democrat council members, Ella Ward and Vice Mayor Dwight Parker, were on hand Saturday, as was independent Councilman Bryan Collins. The council now consists of four Republicans, three Democrats and two independents.
Hayes is up for re-election next year, along with three other council members.
With Hayes’ change of party, “I don’t expect you’re going to see any major vote swings or patterns of voting,” Collins said.
