News Summary
Marty Eubank, the Newport News Treasurer, has announced he will not seek reelection after over 40 years of service. Eubank has endorsed Sanu Dieng-Cooper as his successor. Dieng-Cooper aims to enhance financial literacy and introduce technological innovations, while her opponent Derek Reason emphasizes customer service and transparency. The primary elections are set for June 17, and both candidates are expected to actively engage with the community ahead of the general election on November 4, 2025.
Newport News – In a significant shift for the Newport News Treasurer’s office, longtime treasurer Marty Eubank will not seek reelection after serving for over four decades. Eubank, who has held the position since November 1997 and worked in the office since May 1984, has decided to retire, leaving the position open for new candidates in the upcoming elections.
Eubank has a distinct history in the role, having won the last six general elections without facing any opponents. He has been instrumental in modernizing the Treasurer’s office through technological innovations. Notably, he initiated the Easy Pay program and recently launched a generative AI virtual assistant named Kailani, which has addressed over 3,300 taxpayer questions and is available 24/7.
Believing that his successor should bring “new energy and new leadership,” Eubank has officially endorsed Sanu Dieng-Cooper as his preferred candidate to take over the treasurer’s responsibilities. Dieng-Cooper, aged 39, is currently the director of public policy at the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Hampton University.
Serving in the Air Force, Dieng-Cooper has committed to enhancing financial literacy and access to technology for residents of Newport News. She has proposed the creation of a mobile app that would allow locals to manage tax payments and access valuable resources. Moreover, she plans to provide free financial literacy workshops and mobile tax assistance to help residents struggling with delinquent taxes.
Competing against Dieng-Cooper for the Treasurer position is Derek Reason, also aged 39. Reason is a business owner with an academic background in psychology and business management from Liberty University. Like Dieng-Cooper, he also served in the Air Force and aims to prioritize customer service and financial transparency as Treasurer.
Reason’s objectives include implementing innovative systems for tax collection, ensuring clear payment guidelines are publicly available, and analyzing trends in delinquency to better inform policies and optimize services for taxpayers.
The Democratic primary elections are scheduled for June 17, with early voting beginning May 2. Additionally, an independent candidate named Justin Kennedy is expected to file for candidacy in the coming weeks. Notably, no Republican candidates are currently running for the Treasurer position.
The general election for the Treasurer of Newport News will take place on November 4, 2025. As the election date approaches, both Dieng-Cooper and Reason are expected to innovate their campaigns and engage with the community to outline their visions for the future of the Treasurer’s office.
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Additional Resources
- WAVY: Newport News Treasurer Will Not Seek Reelection
- Pilot Online: Sanu Dieng-Cooper and Derek Reason Primary
- WAVY: Candidate Profile – Derek Reason
- Pilot Online: Newport News Election Results
- Wikipedia: Newport News, Virginia
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