MiddlesboroNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Middlesboro Mayor & City Council Election 2026

9 of 9 council seats are on the ballot, with 11 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
In-person no-excuse early voting begins (Oct 29): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters choose the mayor in one citywide vote and may vote for up to nine City Council candidates; nine candidates are running for the nine council seats.

In-person no-excuse early voting begins · Oct 29

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

What the next council decides

01Taxes, spending and the city budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council kept property tax rates the same in 2024, and both mayoral candidates said in October 2026 they would oppose tax or fee increases.

What's on the tableEach year's budget and property tax rates, and how much the city spends on staff and overtime.

  • In August 2024 the council set property tax rates at 23.20 cents per $100 of assessed value on personal property and 6.90 cents on real property, the same as the year before. Middlesboro News · Aug 21, 2024
  • The budget the council approved on first reading in June 2024 projected $17.899 million in revenue and $17,538,250 in expenditures. Middlesboro News · Jun 19, 2024
  • At the October 2026 mayoral debate, Michael Orr said several department heads were almost doubling their salaries in overtime. Middlesboro News · Oct 13, 2026
02Data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe Bell County Fiscal Court approved the first reading of a two-year data center moratorium in June 2026, and the mayoral candidates split on data centers in Middlesboro.

What's on the tableWhether the city welcomes, studies or restricts data center proposals inside city limits.

03Police and fire3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council declined to add an Administrative Fire Captain in 2024 for lack of funding, and the mayoral candidates differ on Flock cameras and Fire Station No. 2.

What's on the tablePolice and fire staffing, equipment such as cameras, and whether to reopen Fire Station No. 2.

04Downtown, parks and flood projects3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a new strategic plan in July 2025, and the state budget sends Middlesboro $1.8 million in July 2026 and $2.8 million in July 2027 for projects.

What's on the tableHow the city spends state project money and carries out its strategic plan.

05Medical marijuana dispensaries2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 4-3 in December 2024 to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the city's ban on dispensaries or change it.

4 notes on these statements

Nine candidates are running for the nine seats on the Middlesboro City Council, so the council race has no opposition. Middlesboro News · Aug 26, 2026

Omar Omar, Justin Howard and council member Tommy Joe Mike filed for City Council but withdrew. Middlesboro News · Aug 26, 2026

In the May 19, 2026 primary for mayor, Boone L. Bowling received 1,089 votes, Michael Orr 376 and Travis Moody 191. Middlesboro News · May 20, 2026

Boone L. Bowling and Michael Orr debated at the Middlesboro Civic Center in October 2026 in a debate moderated by WRIL's Brian O'Brien. Middlesboro News · Oct 13, 2026

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. Should Middlesboro raise city taxes or fees?

  2. 2. Should Middlesboro welcome a data center?

  3. 3. Should Middlesboro police use Flock license-plate cameras?

  4. 4. Should the city reopen Fire Station No. 2 on West Cumberland Avenue?

  5. 5. Should medical marijuana dispensaries be allowed in Middlesboro?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted2 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 9 on this ballot

9 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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