Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Colonial Beach Town Council Election 2026
3 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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How to vote · 11 days left
Deadline to register to vote (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.
Town Council
Vote for up to 3- Robert C. "Bobby" Duke, JrColonial Beach native and graduate of its schools who has worked in local government in the town. His listed experience is municipal government, political and small business consulting.7sourced
- Jeff L. EisensmithRetired Department of Homeland Security executive and president of the nonprofit Colonial Beach Greenspace. He was the department's Chief Information Security Officer from 2003 to 2013.6sourced
- William Henry "Will" Nuckols IIIColonial Beach resident who spoke at the May 6, 2026 Town Council hearings on the budget and utility fees.7sourced
- Rebecca J. "Becky" StuartCandidate for Colonial Beach Town Council.6sourced
Voters townwide choose up to three of the four Town Council candidates, and the top three vote-getters win.
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.
What the next council decides
01Water and sewer rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council raised the flat residential water and sewer charges for FY2027 on a 4-3 vote.
What's on the tableThe next council sets water and sewer rates in each new budget.
- Ordinance No. 782 raised the residential flat sewer charge from $1,008.72 to $1,094.48 a year. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
- Ordinance No. 782 raised the residential flat water charge from $414.72 to $422.56 a year. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
- On August 19, 2026, the Town Manager reported that the Department of Environmental Quality waived the town's entire $235,152 2025 WQIF assessment. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, August 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026
02Water meters and usage billing2 sourced facts
Where it standsWater and sewer service is billed at flat, non-metered rates, so connected users pay the same amount regardless of usage.
What's on the tableThe next council decides whether and how to bill customers by metered water use.
- The FY2027 budget presentation said utility services are funded through flat, non-metered rates where all connected users pay the same amount regardless of usage. Colonial Beach Town Council work session minutes, May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026
- At the May 6, 2026 public hearing, a resident asked whether the town would use the water meters and charge based on actual water use. Colonial Beach Town Council work session minutes, May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026
03Developer fee discounts3 sourced facts
Where it standsAfter questions about utility connection terms in a development agreement, the council debated in June 2026 who should approve fee discounts.
What's on the tableThe next council decides whether the Town Code should require a council vote on large fee discounts.
- On June 3, 2026, the council voted 5-2 to direct the Town Attorney to draft a code amendment requiring Council approval of utility fee discounts. Colonial Beach Town Council work session minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
- On June 17, 2026, a motion to have the Town Attorney draft a policy on discounts failed 3-4. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
- The Town Attorney said that in his legal opinion the current ordinance grants the Town Manager authority over the number and types of water and sewer connections. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
04Potomac Crossing and growth2 sourced facts
Where it standsLennar wants to revive the 2007 financing structure for its 490-acre Potomac Crossing property.
What's on the tableThe next council will handle the legal and bond-financing matters of the Potomac Crossing Community Development Authority.
- In 2007 the Town Council established the Potomac Crossing Community Development Authority to support residential development, infrastructure improvements and economic growth. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
- On May 20, 2026, the council voted 4-2, with one abstention, to hire Sands Anderson for legal services related to the authority. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
05Town budget and taxes2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted the FY2027 budget 7-0 in May 2026.
What's on the tableThe next council writes the FY2028 budget and sets tax rates.
- Mayor Robin M. Schick said a big reason the budget was balanced without a tax increase was a decrease in the required local match to the school budget. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, May 20, 2026 · May 20, 2026
- On September 16, 2026, the council set personal property tax relief rates for tax year 2026 on a 6-1 vote. Colonial Beach Town Council minutes, September 16, 2026 · Sep 16, 2026
1 note on these statements
All four candidates, William Henry "Will" Nuckols III, Robert C. "Bobby" Duke, Jr, Jeff L. Eisensmith and Rebecca J. "Becky" Stuart, submitted written answers to the same audience questions after the Chamber of Commerce forum. Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce · Sep 28, 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. Should Colonial Beach have raised its flat water and sewer charges for FY2027?
2. Should the town bill water customers by how much water they use?
3. Should large fee discounts for developers require a Town Council vote?
4. When a controversial development is proposed, what should weigh most?
5. Should the next budget hold town taxes and fees flat?
Key dates
- Early in-person voting beginsCardinal NewsSep 18, 2026
- Deadline to register to voteCardinal NewsOct 23, 2026
- Early voting endsCardinal NewsOct 31, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.)Cardinal NewsNov 3, 2026
The seat math
4 stay (not up this year): Lisa M. Grandstaff, Thomas C. "Tom" Larson, Maggie Lane Sanford, Robin M. Schick3 on this ballot
7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The Town of Colonial Beach is governed by the Council-Manager form of government. Town of Colonial Beach
- The Town Council consists of 6 members and a mayor. Town of Colonial Beach
- The mayoral election is held every four years, and elections for three of the six council seats are held every two years for four-year terms. Town of Colonial Beach
- Council meets at 6:00 PM on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Colonial Beach Town Center. Town of Colonial Beach
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