Emporia City Council District 7 · Nov 3, 2026
Alvina B.
Matthews
Alvina B. Matthews, the incumbent, is running for Emporia City Council District 7 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Kenneth L. "Kenny" Speller.
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The race · City Council District 7
- 01Alvina B. MatthewsYou’re reading
- 02Kenneth L. "Kenny" Speller
Background
- About
- Emporia City Council member for District 7, with a term that expires December 31, 2026.
On the record: Alvina B. Matthews
10 sourced01School funding4 sourced positions
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Said at the budget hearing that she did not support the proposed reduction in school funding.
Own statementEmporia City Council minutes, May 19, 2026 · May 19, 2026Link
Voted no on the resolution holding the city's local school contribution level at $4,442,776 for 2026-27 (passed 6-1, May 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on conditions for the city's share of school raises: 4% for employees earning under $90,000, 2% for those earning $90,000 or more (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council special called meeting minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026Link
as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote
Asked that every effort be made to ensure teachers receive the full 4% raise.
Own statementEmporia City Council special called meeting minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026Link
02City budget1 sourced position
Voted no on adopting the city's $62,747,774 operating budget for fiscal year 2026-27 (passed 5-2, June 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Water and sewer rates2 sourced positions
Voted no on the ordinance setting new water rates effective July 1, 2026 (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted no on the ordinance setting new sewer rates effective July 1, 2026 (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026Link
04Airport funding1 sourced position
Voted no on restoring $82,662 for the Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport, contingent on Greensville County's match (failed 2-5, June 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Community events1 sourced position
Voted no on raising the economic development events budget from $25,000 to $35,000 (failed 3-4, June 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06Police headquarters1 sourced position
Voted yes on a resolution letting the city repay police headquarters costs from future tax-exempt financing of up to $20 million (tied 3-3, February 2026).
Council voteEmporia City Council minutes, February 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Alvina B. Matthews: their words and their votes on the same issue
School funding
In their words
Said at the budget hearing that she did not support the proposed reduction in school funding.
May 19, 2026 ·as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Emporia City Council minutes, May 19, 2026 · May 19, 2026
Asked that every effort be made to ensure teachers receive the full 4% raise.
Jul 28, 2026 ·as recorded in the council minutes; not a direct quote ·Emporia City Council special called meeting minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
On the record
Voted no on the resolution holding the city's local school contribution level at $4,442,776 for 2026-27 (passed 6-1, May 2026).
May 5, 2026 ·Emporia City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 2026
Voted yes on conditions for the city's share of school raises: 4% for employees earning under $90,000, 2% for those earning $90,000 or more (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Jul 28, 2026 ·Emporia City Council special called meeting minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
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