James W. Holley, III

Dr. James W. Holley, III, D.D.S. is a dental surgeon and politician, currently serving as mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia. Though blunt and often controversial, he has remained popular with constituents.

Early life
After graduating from Portsmouth's I.C. Norcom High School in 1944, Holley served in World War II. 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.

Holley joined the battle for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s, and played an integral role in the desegregation of his native Portsmouth, winning court battles which allowed for the equal use of the city's libraries, hospitals, restaurants and golf courses.

Politics
Holley first served as a member of the Portsmouth City Council 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 the present day. His current term ends on June 30, 2008. Holley is 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.

While an Independent, Holley has backed both Democrats and Republicans running for office, including Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid and former Senator George Allen's 2006 re-election bid. He also serves as chairman of Hampton Roads Transit.

Fashion
Holley is known for his stylish dress. He appeared in the September 2007 issue of Esquire magazine along with Virginia Beach, Virginia mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf in a feature chronicling U.S. mayors.