Bridgewater Town Council · Nov 3, 2026
James M. "Jim"
Tongue
James M. "Jim" Tongue, the incumbent, is running for Bridgewater Town Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 4 candidates are running for 3 seats.
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The race · Town Council
- 01A. Fontaine CanadaIncumbent
- 02Vincenzo G. Coppola
- 03Stephanie L. CurtisIncumbent
- 04James M. "Jim" TongueYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Retired United Methodist pastor who joined the Bridgewater Town Council in 2017. He chairs the council's Economic Development Committee.
- Endorsed by
- Mayor Ted Flory Bridgewater Top 3
- How the press groups them
- Campaigning together for reelection as "Bridgewater Top 3" with the other two incumbents on the ballot, according to WHSV. WHSV · Oct 13, 2026
- Campaign website
- bridgewatertop3.com
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
On the record: James M. "Jim" Tongue
9 sourced01Flock cameras1 sourced position
Seconded and voted yes on Resolution R-192-14 addressing Flock automatic license-plate reading cameras (passed 7-0, September 2026).
Council voteTown of Bridgewater · Sep 8, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02Countywide transit2 sourced positions
Voted no on a resolution supporting a countywide transportation proposal (failed 2-4, January 2025).
Council voteTown of Bridgewater · Jan 14, 2025LinkHow the council voted
remarks at the January 14, 2025 council meeting, as summarized in the minutes; not a direct quote
Said he could not support the countywide transportation resolution because the issue had been made partisan and the council should remain non-partisan.
Own statementTown of Bridgewater · Jan 14, 2025Link
03Taxes and budget4 sourced positions
Voted yes on the Fiscal 2027 Financial Ordinance (passed 6-0, May 2026).
Council voteTown of Bridgewater · May 12, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on the 2026 Property Tax Rate Ordinance (passed 6-0, April 2026).
Council voteTown of Bridgewater · Apr 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
email to WHSV, as reported by WHSV
Said the town built its reserve fund from zero to $2 million and that it protects the town against economic downturns.
Bridgewater has built up its reserve fund from, well, zero, to $2 million. The fund earns interest for us every day, and it protects us against economic downturns”
Own statementWHSV · Oct 13, 2026Link
The joint campaign site says the three, working with the rest of the council, built up cash reserves and eliminated the real estate tax.
They’ve built up cash reserves. They’ve eliminated the real estate tax.”
Own statementBridgewater Top 3Link
04Growth and development1 sourced position
Voted yes to buy real estate on Main Street that staff called the last piece needed for the Midtown Connector (passed 6-0, August 2025).
Council voteTown of Bridgewater · Aug 12, 2025LinkHow the council voted
05Transparency1 sourced position
The joint campaign site points to the town's daily blog, published for over 2,000 straight days, as a sign of transparent government.
They run the most transparent government anywhere, publishing a daily blog of what you need to know for over 2,000 straight days!”
Own statementBridgewater Top 3Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
James M. "Jim" Tongue: their words and their votes on the same issue
Countywide transit
In their words
Said he could not support the countywide transportation resolution because the issue had been made partisan and the council should remain non-partisan.
Jan 14, 2025 ·remarks at the January 14, 2025 council meeting, as summarized in the minutes; not a direct quote ·Town of Bridgewater · Jan 14, 2025
On the record
Voted no on a resolution supporting a countywide transportation proposal (failed 2-4, January 2025).
Jan 14, 2025 ·Town of Bridgewater · Jan 14, 2025
Taxes and budget
In their words
Said the town built its reserve fund from zero to $2 million and that it protects the town against economic downturns.
Oct 13, 2026 ·email to WHSV, as reported by WHSV ·WHSV · Oct 13, 2026
The joint campaign site says the three, working with the rest of the council, built up cash reserves and eliminated the real estate tax.
Bridgewater Top 3 campaign site (joint platform of A. Fontaine Canada, Stephanie L. Curtis and James M. "Jim" Tongue) ·Bridgewater Top 3
On the record
Voted yes on the 2026 Property Tax Rate Ordinance (passed 6-0, April 2026).
Apr 14, 2026 ·Town of Bridgewater · Apr 14, 2026
Voted yes on the Fiscal 2027 Financial Ordinance (passed 6-0, May 2026).
May 12, 2026 ·Town of Bridgewater · May 12, 2026
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