Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Smyrna Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · 1 seat

Joanne DelkBusiness professional, youth sports coach and homeowners association treasurer in Smyrna. She lists an MBA and an MSML degree in her VOTE411 profile.3sourced
Mary Esther ReedIncumbentMayor of Smyrna since 2013 and owner of The Learning Circle, an educational supply store. Elected to the Town Council in 2003, she served as Vice Mayor from 2009 to 2013.3sourced

Town Council · Vote for up to 3

Voters townwide choose one mayor from two candidates and up to three council members from four candidates.

3 notes on these statements

Council Member Gerry Short is not on the ballot. Murfreesboro Post · Aug 20, 2026

The three council seats on the ballot are those of Marc Adkins, H.G. Cole and Gerry Short, whose terms expire in 2026. Jerome Dempsey, Racquel Peebles and Steve Sullivan have terms through 2028. Town of Smyrna

Matt Ford and Vanessa Haley are challenging incumbents Marc Adkins and H.G. Cole for three seats. Murfreesboro Post · Aug 20, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jerome DempseyCouncil Member; term expires 20285sourced Racquel PeeblesCouncil Member; term expires 20284sourced Steve SullivanCouncil Member; term expires 20283sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesLarge annexation and rezoning requests, Property tax rate and town budget, Roads, traffic and the Rocky Fork connector Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins

Wed, Oct 14, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Large annexation and rezoning requests

Where it standsThe council denied a 225-acre Mona Road annexation and PUD in January 2026 and approved a 70-acre West Jefferson Pike annexation and zoning in July 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to approve, delay or deny annexation and rezoning requests as they reach the council, usually after a Planning Commission recommendation.

In November 2025 the council voted 7-0 to defer a 225.25-acre annexation and PUD request on Mona Road east of I-840 until an agreement with Consolidated Utility District is approved. Smyrna Town Council minutes, Nov. 13, 2025 · Nov 13, 2025
In January 2026 the council denied first reading of a request by Fall Creek Commerce, LLC for the same 225.25 acres after the Planning Commission recommended approval with three conditions. Smyrna Town Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
In July 2026 the council approved second reading of a 70.08-acre annexation and C-2 and I-1 zoning request by Hollingshead Land, LLC on W. Jefferson Pike, 5-1. Smyrna Town Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026

Property tax rate and town budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the FY2026-27 budget 7-0 on June 9, 2026 and set the property tax rate at .5257, subject to a revenue-neutral adjustment once the state certifies the rate.

What's on the tableEach June the council adopts the next fiscal year's budget and sets the property tax rate.

On June 9, 2026 the council approved the FY2026-27 budget ordinance on second and final reading, 7-0. Smyrna Town Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
The same night it approved the FY2026-27 property tax rate of .5257 on second and final reading, 7-0, and scheduled a June 25 special-called meeting to make any needed amendment. Smyrna Town Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
In June 2025 the council approved the FY2025-26 budget ordinance on second and final reading, 6-0. Smyrna Town Council minutes, June 10, 2025 · Jun 10, 2025

Roads, traffic and the Rocky Fork connector

Where it standsA Rocky Fork Road to McEwen Drive corridor project has won funding backing from the regional transportation board; design work still needs state money.

What's on the tableHow much town money and effort goes to road projects, and how the town works with TDOT and regional partners on them.

The Greater Nashville Regional Council Transportation Policy Board backed the Rocky Fork Road to McEwen Drive Corridor project for funding. Daily News Journal · Aug 3, 2026
Councilman Steve Sullivan said about $18 million is needed from state lawmakers for TDOT to pursue the design phase. Daily News Journal · Aug 3, 2026
The long-term vision is a continuous corridor from the McEwen Drive area in Williamson County through the Rocky Fork corridor to I-24, according to a town news release. Daily News Journal · Aug 3, 2026
In June 2025 the council adopted an update to the Smyrna Mobility Plan, the town's major thoroughfare and bicycle and pedestrian plan, 6-0. Smyrna Town Council minutes, June 10, 2025 · Jun 10, 2025

Housing and development density

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council approved amending a 91.66-acre existing PRD to a PUD and, on first reading, a text change on accessory apartments in R-4 districts.

What's on the tableWhat types of housing and what density the town zones for, one request at a time.

In February 2026 the council approved first reading, 7-0, of amending the existing PRD on 91.66 acres to a PUD, with four Planning Commission conditions including up to ten office suites per phase. Smyrna Town Council minutes, Feb. 10, 2026 · Feb 10, 2026
In March 2026 the council approved second and final reading of that PUD amendment, 7-0. Smyrna Town Council minutes, Mar. 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
In March 2026 the council approved on first reading, 7-0, a zoning text change on accessory apartments in the R-4 Medium Density Residential District. Smyrna Town Council minutes, Mar. 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026

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. How should the council handle large annexation and rezoning requests?
2. What should the council do with the town property tax rate?
3. How high a priority should roads, traffic and infrastructure be for the council?
4. What should the town do about affordable and senior housing?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early voting beginsMurfreesboro Post · Aug 20, 2026Oct 14, 2026
Early voting endsMurfreesboro Post · Aug 20, 2026Oct 29, 2026
Election DayRutherford County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Jerome Dempsey, Racquel Peebles, Steve Sullivan4 on this ballot

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

The Town of Smyrna is governed by a Town Council headed by the Mayor, with seven members including the mayor. Town of Smyrna
Council members are elected in November of even-numbered years to four-year staggered terms, so only three or four terms expire in a given election year. Town of Smyrna
The mayor presides over the Town Council and votes on matters before it, according to incumbent Mayor Mary Esther Reed's VOTE411 answer. VOTE411 Voter Guide
The Nov. 3, 2026 ballot has a mayor contest (vote for one) and a council contest (vote for three). Rutherford County Election Commission

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