Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Milan Board of Mayor and Aldermen Election 2026

4 of 8 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 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

Last day to request an absentee ballot (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.

Alderman Ward 1

1 seat

Alderman Ward 2

Unopposed

Lee AlexanderIncumbentLee Alexander is one of two Ward 2 aldermen on Milan's Board of Mayor and Aldermen.10sourced

Alderman Ward 3

Unopposed

James FountainIncumbentJames Fountain is a Ward 3 alderman and the vice mayor of Milan.11sourced

Alderman Ward 4

1 seat

Each of Milan's four wards elects one of its two aldermen this year. Ward 1 and Ward 4 have two candidates each; Ward 2 and Ward 3 have one.

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

01Former arsenal land4 sourced facts

Where it standsMilan has bought 292 acres of former Army arsenal land on the south side of the city and has hired A2H to prepare a master plan.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide how the land is planned, leased and developed.

In March 2026 the board approved an agreement with TNECD accepting a $6,800,000 direct appropriation grant, with no match, for the purchase of the arsenal property. City of Milan
In April 2026 the board approved contracts to buy 292 acres on the south side of Milan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for $4,200,000. City of Milan
In May 2026 the board approved a contract with A2H for a development master plan for the arsenal property; a state ECD grant covers 70% of the cost. City of Milan
In May 2026 the board approved leases letting a cattle grazer and a hay producer keep using parts of the property through the end of 2026. City of Milan

02City debt and budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe board used fund balance to pay off a 2016 bond rather than keep it at a new 6.75% interest rate.

What's on the tableThe next board will adopt the FY 2028 budget and decide when to borrow and when to spend reserves.

In August 2026 the city recorder presented three options for the 2016 bond: stay with First Horizon Bank at 6.75%, refinance at 5.80%, or pay it off for $981,012.24. City of Milan · Aug 11, 2026
The board voted 6-0 in August 2026 to pay the 2016 bond off in full. City of Milan · Aug 11, 2026
In September 2026 the board passed Ordinance 2026-7, budget amendments that include the payoff of the 2016 bond. City of Milan · Sep 8, 2026
The FY 2027 budget, passed in June 2026, includes a 4% cost-of-living raise for city employees. City of Milan

03Parks and recreation4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is upgrading its parks with state grants and a five-year equipment loan.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide on grant matches and new park spending, including RV campground upgrades planned for FY 2028.

In July 2026 the board adopted Resolution 26-G, a 5-year capital outlay note for park equipment at 4.48% interest. City of Milan · Jul 14, 2026
The city reported the park equipment capital outlay note to the board in August 2026 as $130,000. City of Milan · Aug 11, 2026
In July 2026 the board approved a $37,500 contract amendment with TDEC for the park's LPRF project. City of Milan · Jul 14, 2026
In September 2026 the board approved applying for a Tourism Enhancement Grant for RV campground upgrades, with a local match of $23,550, expected to be budgeted in FY 28. City of Milan · Sep 8, 2026

04Hotel recruitment2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has hired a hospitality consultant to study Milan's hotel market.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide what to do with the study's findings.

In July 2026 the board approved a four-phase contract with Pinkowski & Company costing about $15,000 plus expenses. City of Milan · Jul 14, 2026
The study is to evaluate Milan's position in the hotel market, identify opportunities for hotel development and connect the city with potential hotel operators. City of Milan · Jul 14, 2026

05Solid waste transfer station3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe board approved a contract for a solid waste transfer station at Caraway Hills Landfill, pending state approval.

What's on the tableThe next board will oversee the contract as the station moves through state review and construction.

In March 2026 the board approved a contract with Caraway Hills Landfill for a municipal solid waste transfer station at the landfill. City of Milan
Caraway Hills Landfill offered the city a good faith contribution of $240,000. City of Milan
State TDEC approval was expected to take about 60 to 90 days, with construction expected to begin within 90 days after approval. City of Milan

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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. Should the City of Milan own the former arsenal land?
2. Should Milan use its reserves to pay off debt early?
3. Should Milan borrow money to buy park equipment?
4. Should the city pay consultants to help attract a hotel?
5. Should Milan allow a solid waste transfer station at the Caraway Hills Landfill?

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 voted11 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Early voting beginsGibson County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Last day to request an absentee ballotGibson County Election CommissionOct 24, 2026
Early voting endsGibson County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayGibson County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Richard Adkisson, Jeff Lifsey, Michael McAdoo, Richard Rushing4 on this ballot

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

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen is a mayor and eight aldermen, each serving four-year terms. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
The mayor is elected at large, and two aldermen are elected from each of the city's four wards to staggered terms. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
If a candidate does not receive a majority of the vote, the city holds a runoff between the top two within 45 days of the regular election. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
Terms of office begin on January 1 following the election. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
The mayor presides at board meetings and votes only to break a tie. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
Each alderman must have lived in the ward for at least one year before the election. Charter of the City of Milan, Tennessee (2025 update)
All municipal candidates on the 2026 ballot are listed as Independent Candidates. Gibson County Election Commission

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

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