Michael A. Harris was sworn in as the new commissioner of the revenue for the City of Hampton on January 10, 2026. Harris is the first Black American to hold this position in Hampton.
Harris has a background in military service, having served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his military career, he earned a Juris Doctor degree and opened his own law practice with a focus on fairness and justice.
In addition to his professional work, Harris has held leadership roles within local civic organizations. He previously chaired the Hampton Planning Commission and participated in various community foundations and boards. His contributions have been recognized through several honors, including being named an Inside Business Top 40 Under 40 honoree.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Harris spoke about Hampton’s history and its ongoing changes. He said that while Hampton “has been ‘the first of many things,'” its real strength comes from embracing growth and transformation.
He also discussed his personal journey from growing up with four siblings to becoming an elected official, highlighting themes of perseverance and excellence. Harris stated that he would lead the office with “excellence, professionalism, fairness, and compassion,” promising these values would shape how the office serves residents. He encouraged continued efforts to improve governance and service in Hampton.
More information about the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue can be found at https://hampton.gov/commissioner.
