Ellsworth City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Nancy
Smith
Nancy Smith, the incumbent, is running for Ellsworth City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 2 seats.
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The race · City Council
- 01Tiffany Dilda-Gaspar
- 02Robert Grant Sr.
- 03Casey Hanson
- 04Nancy SmithYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Nancy Smith is completing her first three-year term on the Ellsworth City Council. She retired from a 45-year career that included forestry, farming, nonprofit management and service in the Maine Legislature.
On the record: Nancy Smith
17 sourced01Budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the FY2027 city budget of $29,317,004 (passed 5-2, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said the municipal portion of the budget rose 12.4%, about 4.3% a year, during her three years on the council.
Own statementThe Ellsworth American · Oct 6, 2026Link
02RV park moratorium2 sourced positions
Voted yes on a moratorium on large-scale campground development (enacted 4-3, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Aug 31, 2026LinkHow the council voted
as reported by The Ellsworth American; not a direct quote
Said she voted for the RV park moratorium to make sure city ordinance reflects rights and responsibilities for all.
Forum answerThe Ellsworth American · Oct 14, 2026Link
03Data center moratorium1 sourced position
Said the data center and RV park moratoria give the city time to update its rules.
The moratoria on data centers and RV parks give the city time to update its rules and establish clear protections if a data center is proposed.”
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Nancy Ellen SmithLink
04Borrowing for capital projects1 sourced position
Voted yes on authorizing up to $3,860,443 in bonds for local roads, sidewalks, the Merrill Lane Extension and Bayside Road design (passed 5-2, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Courthouse road1 sourced position
Voted yes on a contract with RF Jordan for up to $1,633,545 to build the Merrill Lane Extension to the county courthouse site (passed 4-1-1, October 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Oct 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Bayside Road1 sourced position
Voted yes on a Bayside Road engineering contract with Sebago Technics for up to $267,540 (passed 5-2, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Short-term rentals1 sourced position
as reported by The Ellsworth American; not a direct quote
Said she supports a short-term rental registry and inspections because the city needs more data for future policy decisions.
Forum answerThe Ellsworth American · Oct 14, 2026Link
08Housing and development1 sourced position
Said she supports development and that it is better to plan for growth.
I support development. It is better to plan for growth than to sit back and allow it to happen to you.”
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Nancy Ellen SmithLink
09State revenue sharing1 sourced position
Said Ellsworth should work with other communities to get a fairer share of revenue from hospitality and cannabis.
I want Ellsworth to work with other communities to secure a fairer share of revenue from hospitality and cannabis.”
Own statementMaine Voter Guide 2026 (Maine Trust for Local News): Nancy Ellen SmithLink
10Council rules1 sourced position
Voted yes on new council rules of procedure, including a 30-minute public comment window (passed 5-2, September 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
11Councilor conduct1 sourced position
Voted yes on a formal sanction of Councilor Steven O'Halloran (passed 5-1-1, May 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · May 18, 2026LinkHow the council voted
12TIF districts1 sourced position
Voted yes on creating the Downtown Corridor Omnibus Municipal TIF District, covering about 300 properties (passed 6-1, March 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Mar 16, 2026LinkHow the council voted
13Cannabis stores1 sourced position
Voted yes on conditional approval of six adult-use cannabis licenses (passed 5-2, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Ellsworth · Jun 15, 2026LinkHow the council voted
14Form of government1 sourced position
as summarized in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Spoke against a proposal to switch Ellsworth to a strong-mayor form of government; the item died without a motion (September 2026).
Own statementCity of Ellsworth · Sep 21, 2026Link
15Recall effort1 sourced position
as reported by The Ellsworth American; not a direct quote
Said she believes the recall effort was a response to the council's May 2026 vote to sanction Councilor Steve O'Halloran.
Forum answerThe Ellsworth American · Oct 14, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Nancy Smith: their words and their votes on the same issue
Budget
In their words
Said the municipal portion of the budget rose 12.4%, about 4.3% a year, during her three years on the council.
Oct 6, 2026 ·The Ellsworth American · Oct 6, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the FY2027 city budget of $29,317,004 (passed 5-2, June 2026).
Jun 15, 2026 ·City of Ellsworth · Jun 15, 2026
RV park moratorium
In their words
Said she voted for the RV park moratorium to make sure city ordinance reflects rights and responsibilities for all.
Oct 14, 2026 ·as reported by The Ellsworth American; not a direct quote ·The Ellsworth American · Oct 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on a moratorium on large-scale campground development (enacted 4-3, August 2026).
Aug 31, 2026 ·City of Ellsworth · Aug 31, 2026
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