Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Bridgewater Mayor & Town Council Election 2026
5 of 7 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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How to vote · 11 days left
Voter registration deadline (Oct 23): the election office's noticeThese 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
UnopposedTown Council
Vote for up to 3- A. Fontaine CanadaIncumbentRetired president of Rocco Building Supplies who has served on the Bridgewater Town Council since 1994. He joined the Planning Commission in 1991 and continues to serve on it.8sourced
- Vincenzo G. CoppolaBridgewater native running to preserve the town's small-town feel and make local government more transparent.2sourced
- Stephanie L. CurtisIncumbentParalegal at Hoover Penrod, PLC who has served on the Bridgewater Town Council since January 2023. She chairs the council's Parks and Recreation Committee and earlier served on the town's Industrial Development Authority board.8sourced
- James M. "Jim" TongueIncumbentRetired United Methodist pastor who joined the Bridgewater Town Council in 2017. He chairs the council's Economic Development Committee.9sourced
Voters townwide choose a mayor, up to three of four Town Council candidates, and one member in a special election for a term ending December 31, 2028; only the three-seat council race has more candidates than seats.
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.
- U.S. Senate
- Mark R. Warner · Democratic
- Bert Mizusawa · Republican
- Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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.
- Travis L. BowmanBridgewater Town Council member who gives the council's community relations reports.6sourced
- Steven A. SchofieldBridgewater Town Council member who presents the council's finance reports.5sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Flock license-plate cameras4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council voted 7-0 to have the town's Flock automatic license-plate reading cameras removed and to seek to end the contract.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether the town ever reinstalls license-plate reading cameras, which the resolution allows only after a transparent public process.
- Resolution R-192-14 directs the town manager to have the Flock cameras removed and to seek to terminate the town's contract with Flock. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
- The resolution says the town will not reinstall Flock cameras, or a substantially similar system, without first engaging in a transparent process designed to foster public awareness and trust. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
- The council adopted Resolution R-192-14 unanimously on September 8, 2026. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
- A number of people spoke about Flock cameras at the council's August 11, 2026 meeting, where the council made no decision on the cameras. Town of Bridgewater · Aug 11, 2026
02Taxes and the town budget3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Fiscal 2027 budget keeps the real estate tax at zero and raises water and sewer fees with inflation.
What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the Fiscal 2028 budget and set 2027 tax rates and utility fees.
- The Fiscal 2027 budget projected no tax increases, and the real estate tax remains at zero. Town of Bridgewater · Apr 28, 2026
- Utility fees are increasing 4.49% with inflation, with sewer rates rising by half that amount. Town of Bridgewater · Apr 28, 2026
- The council adopted the Fiscal 2027 Financial Ordinance 6-0 on May 12, 2026. Town of Bridgewater · May 12, 2026
03Wellness Quarter3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Wellness Quarter, a town indoor recreation building, is under construction and the town expects to open it in late fall 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the building's opening, programs and borrowing.
- Final pricing for the Wellness Quarter building came in at $6,699,664 under a guaranteed maximum price contract. Town of Bridgewater · Oct 14, 2025
- The town manager said the town may borrow less than the $6.7 million authorized for the Wellness Quarter. Town of Bridgewater · Apr 28, 2026
- The first event planned at the Wellness Quarter is a pickleball tournament on January 16, 2027. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
04Growth and development2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council has bought land for the Midtown Connector and updated its zoning code to follow new state laws.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide on rezonings, special use permits and town projects such as the Midtown Connector.
- In August 2025 the council voted to buy real estate on Main Street that staff called the last piece needed for the Midtown Connector, without starting construction yet. Town of Bridgewater · Aug 12, 2025
- In September 2026 the council adopted an ordinance updating Title Six of the Town Code to stay in line with Virginia code changes. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
05Countywide transit1 sourced fact
Where it standsIn January 2025 the council voted down a resolution supporting a countywide transportation proposal, 2-4.
What's on the tableThe next council may again be asked whether the town should back a countywide transit proposal.
- The resolution supporting a countywide transportation proposal failed 2-4 on January 14, 2025. Town of Bridgewater · Jan 14, 2025
4 notes on these statements
Theodore W. "Ted" Flory is the only candidate for mayor, and Billy B. Kyger, Jr. is the only candidate in the special election for the Town Council seat. Rockingham County
The special election fills the rest of the term of council member William D. Miracle, who resigned in July 2026. Town of Bridgewater (via EIN Presswire) · Jul 16, 2026
A. Fontaine Canada, Stephanie L. Curtis and James M. "Jim" Tongue are campaigning together for reelection as "Bridgewater Top 3." WHSV · Oct 13, 2026
Mayor Theodore W. "Ted" Flory has endorsed Stephanie L. Curtis, A. Fontaine Canada and James M. "Jim" Tongue for Town Council. Ted Flory · Sep 15, 2026
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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. How fast should Bridgewater grow?
2. Should the town council endorse a countywide transit proposal?
Key dates
- Early voting beginsRockingham CountySep 18, 2026
- Voter registration deadlineCardinal NewsOct 23, 2026
- Early voting endsCardinal NewsOct 31, 2026
- Election DayRockingham CountyNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Travis L. Bowman, Steven A. Schofield5 on this ballot
7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The Bridgewater Town Council has a mayor and six council members. Town of Bridgewater
- The mayor votes on council motions; roll calls list Mayor Flory with the six council members. Town of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026
- The special election fills a Town Council term that ends December 31, 2028. Rockingham County
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