Abingdon Town Council · Nov 3, 2026
R. Wayne
Austin
R. Wayne Austin, the incumbent, is running for Abingdon Town Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 5 candidates are running for 3 seats.
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The race · Town Council
- 01William P. "Bill" Anderson
- 02R. Wayne AustinYou’re reading
- 03Olivia C. Bailey
- 04Frank Goodpasture IV
- 05J. Greg Lilly
Background
- About
- Attorney in Abingdon for more than 45 years and a Town Council member for four years. He has served more than ten years on the Town Planning Commission.
On the record: R. Wayne Austin
9 sourced01Taxes and budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the FY2026-27 budget, which kept real estate, personal property, meals and lodging tax rates unchanged (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteAbingdon Town Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 guide
Said the town should avoid tax and fee increases unless there is an emergency or an absolute necessity.
It is, in my opinion, never acceptable to increase taxes and fees unless there is an emergency or an absolute necessity for additional services.”
Own statementVOTE411 (League of Women Voters)Link
02Housing1 sourced position
Voted yes on a special use permit for a 15-cottage housing development on Taylor Street (passed 3-0, March 2026).
Council voteAbingdon Town Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Sewer system1 sourced position
Voted yes on issuing up to $5,701,200 in bonds for Phase II sewer system repairs (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteAbingdon Town Council minutes, August 3, 2026 · Aug 3, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Deer management1 sourced position
Voted yes on an ordinance setting up deer management and population control with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (passed 4-0, September 2026).
Council voteAbingdon Town Council minutes, September 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Tourism and residents1 sourced position
written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 guide
Said the town should care for its residents first while tourism provides much of its income.
Certainly, we should always care for our residents first and foremost.”
Own statementVOTE411 (League of Women Voters)Link
06Town and county1 sourced position
written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 guide
Said town residents subsidize county residents' use of the Coomes Center and fire service outside town limits, and that the council and Board of Supervisors should meet on shared issues.
Own statementVOTE411 (League of Women Voters)Link
07Recycling1 sourced position
written answer to the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 guide
Marked "Support" for exploring a curbside recycling program for Abingdon.
Own statementVOTE411 (League of Women Voters)Link
08Past elections1 sourced position
Ran for Abingdon Town Council in 2022 (won).
Own statementVirginia Department of Elections · Nov 8, 2022Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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