Bristol City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Jake Preston Holmes
Candidate for City Council (incumbent)
Jake Preston Holmes, the incumbent, is running for Bristol City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 6 candidates are running for 3 seats.
Election Day · Tue, Nov 3, 2026
External Affairs Manager at Appalachian Power and Bristol's mayor. He was elected to the City Council in 2022 and spent over a decade as legislative director to a Virginia state delegate.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Independent
Michael W. Pollard was censured by the City Council on January 28, 2025; Jake Preston Holmes and F. Neal Osborne voted for the resolution. Bristol City Council minutes, January 28, 2025 · Jan 28, 2025
Michael W. Pollard, Jake Preston Holmes and F. Neal Osborne are incumbents; Jackie L. Nophlin, Melissa K. Brown and Elijah D. Walker are not on the council. Virginia Department of Elections
Where Jake Preston Holmes stands: positions on the record
Taxes and budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes to adopt the FY 2026-27 budget ordinance, which sets the tax rate on real and personal property (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
Said the bulk of any new funding goes to the landfill.
“That’s where our bulk of any new funding goes.”
Own statementVOTE411 Voter Guide · Oct 5, 2026
Recreational-substance shops2 sourced positions
Voted yes to adopt Ordinance 26-7 regulating where recreational-substance retail shops may locate (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
Said the city should enforce existing laws on these shops.
“We must enforce the laws already on the books.”
Own statementVOTE411 Voter Guide · Oct 5, 2026
Landfill3 sourced positions
Voted yes to award the equalization tank system balance-of-plant contract tied to the landfill project (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
Voted yes to buy the air stripping system used to remove leachate at the landfill for $124,811.87 (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
Said he has made trips to Richmond to seek state help with landfill costs.
“I’ve made numerous trips to Richmond to meet with legislators of both parties to seek help.”
Own statementVOTE411 Voter Guide · Oct 5, 2026
City manager2 sourced positions
Voted yes to appoint Tamrya Spradlin as permanent city manager (passed 5-0, March 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, March 10, 2026 · Mar 10, 2026
Voted yes on appointing Randall C. Eads as city manager (passed 4-1, January 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, January 5, 2026 · Jan 5, 2026
Economic development1 sourced position
Voted yes to hire Kendra Hayden as the city's economic development director (passed 5-0, August 2026).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Council conduct1 sourced position
Voted yes on the resolution censuring Councilmember Michael Pollard (passed 4-0, January 2025).
Council voteBristol City Council minutes, January 28, 2025 · Jan 28, 2025
Public safety1 sourced position
Said police have added patrols and that arrests are not the only path.
“we know arresting and charging is not the sole path forward.”
Own statementVOTE411 Voter Guide · Oct 5, 2026
Also running for City Council
- Melissa K. Brown
- Jackie L. Nophlin
- F. Neal Osborne (incumbent)
- Michael W. Pollard (incumbent)
- Elijah D. Walker
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