Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Kingston Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 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 vote Check your registration

Absentee voting period ends (Oct 24): 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.

Mayor

Unopposed

Tim NealIncumbentMayor of Kingston; the city's profile says he brings a background rooted in public service.7sourced

City Council

Vote for up to 3

Voters choose up to three council candidates citywide, and the three with the most votes win; the mayor is elected separately.

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.

Governor
15 candidates on the ballot
- Marsha Blackburn · Republican
- Jerri Green · Democratic
- Misam Abidi · Independent
- Dean Brewer · Independent
- Ray Brown · Independent
- David Hatley · Independent
- Wendell Jackson · Independent
- Charles Van Morgan · Independent
- Eddie Lee Murphy · Independent
- Lauren Pinkston · Independent
- Victor L. Scoggin · Independent
- Dave Seeman · Independent
- Karl Knox Smithson · Independent
- L. Webb Taylor · Independent
- Robert C. Vick · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
10 candidates on the ballot
- Bill Hagerty · Republican
- Marquita Bradshaw · Democratic
- Tharon Chandler · Independent
- Andrew Gerena · Independent
- Jeremy Dean Hearn · Independent
- Robert Jones · Independent
- James William Macon III · Independent
- Yoshi D. Matthews · Independent
- David Sutman, Jr. · Independent
- Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (League of Women Voters)

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

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Budget and property tax3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council adopted a $7.23 million general fund budget for FY2027 at the certified tax rate of $0.8234.

What's on the tableThe next council will set the FY2028 budget and property tax rate.

The FY2027 general fund budget totals $7,228,681. Kingston City Council public hearing and special called meeting minutes, June 30, 2026 · Jun 30, 2026
The budget hearing notice listed the certified tax rate of $0.8234. Kingston City Council public hearing and special called meeting minutes, June 30, 2026 · Jun 30, 2026
The council passed the FY2027 budget and tax rate ordinance 7-0 on June 30, 2026. Kingston City Council public hearing and special called meeting minutes, June 30, 2026 · Jun 30, 2026

02Roane Street land and a future gym3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city bought 4.32 acres on Roane Street in 2025, then accepted a $750,000 bid for it in 2026 and earmarked the money for a future gym.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether and how to spend the earmarked money on a gym.

In May 2025 the council voted 4-2 to buy 4.32 acres on Roane Street from Calvary Baptist Church for $250,000 for future parks use. Kingston City Council minutes, May 13, 2025 · May 13, 2025
In March 2026 the council accepted a $750,000 bid from Pivotal GP Holding LLC for the land and earmarked the money for future gym use. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
In July 2026 the city manager said nothing had been finalized on the city's property. Kingston City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026

03Temporary RV parks for workers3 sourced facts

Where it standsSince March 2026, RV parks housing transient construction and industrial workers need a one-year temporary permit and must meet site rules.

What's on the tableThe council decides on permit renewals and any changes to these rules.

The rules cover RV parks for transient workers on construction, industrial or infrastructure projects in Roane County. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
Parks need at least two acres, no more than 15 RV spaces per acre and a 100-foot setback from homes. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
The council passed the rules 6-0 on final reading in March 2026. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026

04Ladd Landing project2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council awarded a $1,037,200 construction bid for the ARC Ladd Landing Improvement Project.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the project as it is built.

The council voted 6-0 to award the bid to Skilled Services Quality Construction, LLC. Kingston City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
The city manager reported a notice to proceed with the ARC Ladd Landing improvement project. Kingston City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026

05Growth and annexation2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council heard a property owner's request to annex 1900 Lawnville Road, where D.R. Horton showed home layouts.

What's on the tableThe council would decide whether to annex land like this and under what zoning.

A D.R. Horton representative said layouts would allow 280 homes as a PUD, 139 under R-1 zoning or 173 under R-2. Kingston City Council special called work session minutes, February 19, 2026 · Feb 19, 2026
Council Member David Reeder noted this section of Lawnville Road is a county road, so improvements would need the county. Kingston City Council special called work session minutes, February 19, 2026 · Feb 19, 2026

06Streets and water lines2 sourced facts

Where it standsPublic Works is updating a paving list and has been replacing guardrails on Ladd Boulevard.

What's on the tableThe council approves budgets and contracts for paving, roads and water lines.

In March 2026 the city manager said Public Works had almost finished guardrails on Ladd Blvd. and would soon start the Woodlawn Road project. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
In April 2026 the city manager said the Public Works Director was updating a paving list for review. Kingston City Council public hearing and regular meeting minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

2 notes on these statements

Vice Mayor Lucy Johnson withdrew her nominating petition after the original deadline, so qualifying was reopened until noon September 3 under Tennessee's Anti-Skullduggery Act. 3B Media News · Aug 26, 2026

Tony Brown, Tommy Guinn and David Reeder won the three Kingston City Council seats on the November 2024 ballot. Roane County official results, November 5, 2024 general election · Nov 5, 2024

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

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. What should Kingston do with its property tax rate?
2. What should Kingston do with the $750,000 from selling the Roane Street land?
3. Should Kingston allow temporary RV parks to house construction workers?
4. Should Kingston spend on the Ladd Landing improvement project?
5. How should Kingston handle streets and water lines?

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 voted6 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineRoane County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsRoane County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Absentee voting period endsRoane County Election CommissionOct 24, 2026
Early voting endsRoane County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayRoane County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Tony Brown, Tommy Guinn, David Reeder4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The City Council is made up of a mayor and six council members. Charter of the City of Kingston
The mayor and council members serve four-year terms, with elections every two years in November of even-numbered years. Charter of the City of Kingston
The mayor presides at council meetings and votes on all matters but has no veto. Charter of the City of Kingston
The council appoints the city manager, who serves at the council's pleasure. Charter of the City of Kingston

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