Norfolk City Council Ward 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Scott R. Guirlinger
Candidate for City Council Ward 1
Scott R. Guirlinger is running for Norfolk City Council Ward 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, unopposed.
Last day of early in-person voting · Sat, Oct 31, 2026
Technology executive who led the Wards Corner Civic League for nearly a decade. Represented Ward 1 on the NFK2050 advisory committee for the city's comprehensive plan and serves on the Hope House Foundation board.
- Campaign website
- www.guirlingerforward1.com
Scott R. Guirlinger is the only candidate in Ward 1, after Vice Mayor Martin Thomas chose not to run again; Courtney R. Doyle in Ward 2 and Tommy R. Smigiel, Jr. in Ward 5 face no challengers. WHRO · Sep 18, 2026
Where Scott R. Guirlinger stands: positions on the record
Schools1 sourced position
Wants formal, year-round joint work sessions between the City Council and School Board instead of an end-of-year budget crunch.
“We're having conversations throughout the year, so that when budget time comes, we're just acting on a lot of the discussions and decisions that we've already made”
Own statementWHRO · Sep 18, 2026
Flock cameras1 sourced position
Supports clear limits on Flock and similar cameras: rules on what data is collected, how long it is kept, who can access it and when it can be shared, with audit trails.
“I believe Norfolk can improve public safety while respecting residents’ privacy.”
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
City government1 sourced position
Calls for a culture of accountability and a "culture of yes" in city government, with clear priorities and measurable goals.
Own statementThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
Public safety1 sourced position
as reported by WHRO; not a direct quote
Would improve workplace culture and operational support to retain police officers and firefighters, since Norfolk can't always beat other cities' salaries.
Own statementWHRO · Sep 18, 2026
Growth1 sourced position
as reported by WHRO; not a direct quote
Wants Wards Corner to become a destination; says surrounding neighborhoods support thoughtful density increases to attract independent retail and dining.
Own statementWHRO · Sep 18, 2026
Also running for City Council Ward 1
No one else is running for this seat.
All 8 Norfolk candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.