Belfast City Council Ward 2 · Nov 3, 2026

Neal
Harkness

Neal Harkness, the incumbent, is running for Belfast City Council Ward 2 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Zachary Schmesser.

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Nov 3Election Day

The race · City Council Ward 2

About: Neal Harkness is a retired restaurant worker who has served on the Belfast City Council since 2014.

7 sourced

01Housing and development1 sourced position

Says new housing and retail development is critical and would expand the tax base.
Yes, new development is critical, in both the housing and retail areas.”
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Neal William Harkness Link

02Housing1 sourced position

Names housing for the "missing middle" as Belfast's highest priority.
The highest priority in Belfast is to provide more housing for the “missing middle””
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Neal William Harkness Link

03Regional cooperation1 sourced position

Wants more interaction between the city, county government and neighboring communities.
I would like to see greater co-operation on a regional basis.”
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Neal William Harkness Link

04Subdivision rules1 sourced position

Voted yes on adopting the rewritten subdivision ordinance (Chapters 94, 98 and 66) (passed 4-1, March 2026).
Council voteCity of Belfast · Mar 17, 2026 Link How the council voted

05Budget1 sourced position

Voted yes on adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 municipal budget (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Belfast · Jun 16, 2026 Link How the council voted

06Cannabis stores1 sourced position

Voted yes on sending the adult-use cannabis retail ordinance back to the Planning Board to work on medical cannabis uses only (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Belfast · Sep 15, 2026 Link How the council voted

07Church Street traffic1 sourced position

Voted yes on directing staff to draft an ordinance change for the Option 2 configuration of Church Street (passed 4-1, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Belfast · Aug 4, 2026 Link How the council voted

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