Joseph C. Ritchie was the mayor of Newport News, Virginia for ten years, from July 1, 1976 to June 30, 1986. Ritchie was the first Republican mayor for the city; in fact, his election to City Council in 1970 was the first time a Republican had been chosen to serve as a Councilman. Joe entered the political arena winning election to the Newport News City Council in 1970 and again in 1976, 1980, and 1984. In 1976, Council voted him to the position of Mayor, a role in which he served for 10 years.