Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Odessa City Council Election 2026

1 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Only District 3 voters choose this seat. A candidate needs a majority of the votes cast, or a second election is held.

1 note on these statements

Basin PBS scheduled a District 3 debate between Richard Pierce and Jerry Castro Jr. for Oct. 14. Midland Reporter-Telegram · Sep 23, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Chris Hanie4sourced Cal HendrickMayor; term ends November 20286sourced Dallas KennedyCouncil member-elect, District 4; declared elected without opposition (September 2026)3sourced Eddie MitchellCouncil member, District 1; term ends November 20283sourced Craig StokerCouncil member, At-Large; term ends November 20283sourced Steven P. ThompsonCouncil member, District 2; term ends November 20283sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesSports complex venue tax (Proposition A), City Charter amendments, Property tax rate Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Sports complex venue tax (Proposition A)

Where it standsVoters will decide whether to add a 2% venue tax on hotel stays to help pay for the Odessa Sports Complex.

What's on the tableIf it passes, the council will manage how venue tax revenue pays for the complex's debt, operation and upkeep; if not, it must find other funding.

The proposition would impose a new hotel occupancy tax of up to 2.0%, bringing the maximum combined hotel tax in Odessa to 17.0% of a room's price. City of Odessa Ordinance 2026-22 · Aug 11, 2026
The city estimates the venue tax would generate $2 million per year for the Odessa Sports Complex. YourBasin · Jul 29, 2026
The venue tax would be added to the city's existing 7% hotel occupancy tax. YourBasin · Jul 29, 2026
The council approved Resolution 2026R-42 designating the venue project 5-0 on April 14, 2026. City Council minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

City Charter amendments

Where it standsThe council has put proposed amendments to the Home Rule Charter on the Nov. 3 ballot, following a review committee's recommendations.

What's on the tableThe council will carry out whichever amendments pass, including setting council pay by ordinance if voters allow it.

The council ordered the charter amendment election in Ordinance 2026-21, approved 6-0 on Aug. 11, 2026. City of Odessa Ordinance 2026-21 · Aug 11, 2026
One amendment would let the council approve pay of up to $4,000 a month for the mayor and $2,000 a month for other council members. City of Odessa Ordinance 2026-21 · Aug 11, 2026
Another amendment would reduce the minimum number of voters required to sign a recall petition. City of Odessa Ordinance 2026-21 · Aug 11, 2026
The council appointed a nine-member charter review committee; the charter was last amended in 2018. Odessa American · Jul 13, 2026

Property tax rate

Where it standsThe council adopted a 2026-27 tax rate of $0.471578 per $100 of taxable value, above the no-new-revenue rate.

What's on the tableThe new council will set next year's tax rate and budget.

The no-new-revenue rate was $0.452293 per $100 of taxable value. YourBasin · Aug 12, 2026
The city estimated the tax bill on the average Odessa home would rise from about $884 to $933. CBS7 · Sep 16, 2026
City officials said nearly 63% of the $156 million general fund goes to Odessa Fire Rescue and the Odessa Police Department. Odessa American · Sep 21, 2026

Water and sewer rates and repairs

Where it standsThe council raised water, wastewater, solid waste and storm rates 3% across the board in September 2026.

What's on the tableThe council will set future utility rates, decide whether to freeze rates for seniors and disabled customers, and fund major water and sewer projects.

Staff estimated the city's total utility needs at approximately $2 billion. Odessa American · Sep 21, 2026
Of 797 miles of water mains, 340 are beyond their useful design life, the utilities director said. Odessa American · Sep 21, 2026
A new wastewater treatment facility in design is projected to cost $440 million. Odessa American · Sep 21, 2026
The 3% utility increase passed 5-1, with At-Large Councilman Craig Stoker voting no. CBS7 · Sep 16, 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. Should Odessa add a 2% venue tax on hotel stays to help pay for the sports complex?
2. How should the city pay for water and sewer repairs?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Last day to register to voteEctor County Elections · Aug 26, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsEctor County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Early voting endsEctor County ElectionsOct 30, 2026
Election DayCity of OdessaNov 3, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Chris Hanie, Cal Hendrick, Dallas Kennedy, Eddie Mitchell, Craig Stoker, Steven P. Thompson1 on this ballot

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

The council has five members elected by district, one at-large member and the mayor, serving staggered four-year terms. City of Odessa
The mayor presides over council meetings and is entitled to vote as a member, but has no veto. City of Odessa Home Rule Charter, Article V: Officers and Elections
A candidate who does not win a majority of the votes cast faces a second election within 30 days. City of Odessa Home Rule Charter, Article V: Officers and Elections
District 3 has been vacant since Councilman Gilbert Vasquez resigned in June. YourBasin · Sep 23, 2026

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