Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Portsmouth City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

5 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Mark A. HugelIncumbentRetired Navy rear admiral and the 100th commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Later led Navy logistics work as a senior vice president at CACI International and retired from CACI in January 2025.12sourced
Lisa L. Lucas-BurkeExecutive director of Lucas Lodge LLC and a Portsmouth City Council member from 2016 to 2024. Served as vice mayor in 2019-2020 and 2023-24 and is a former chair of the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority.8sourced
William E. "Bill" Moody, Jr.IncumbentSenior membership growth consultant at JenCare Senior Medical Center and an Air Force veteran. Has served on Portsmouth City Council since 1999.13sourced
Vernon Lamont Tillage, Jr.IncumbentLocal government affairs program manager at Virginia Natural Gas and a former Portsmouth School Board member. Elected to City Council in 2022; his term began January 1, 2023.13sourced
Mark M. WhitakerPastor of New Bethel Baptist Church and a former Hampton University associate professor. Served on Portsmouth City Council in 2015-18 and 2020-24 and on the School Board from 2002 to 2014.6sourced

Three of the seven council seats are on this ballot, all at-large. Every voter can choose up to three candidates, and the top three vote-getters win. The mayor and three other members are not up until 2028.

3 notes on these statements

Lisa L. Lucas-Burke and Mark M. Whitaker are former council members who held seats until 2024. The Virginian-Pilot · Oct 1, 2026

At the Sept. 30, 2026 forum, Mark M. Whitaker did not indicate support or opposition on the 1% school sales tax question. The Virginian-Pilot · Oct 1, 2026

The 1% school sales tax is a separate question on the same Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. City of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kathryn W. Bryant6sourced William S. Dodson, Jr.5sourced Shannon E. Glover8sourced Yolanda E. Thomas7sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget, taxes and utility rates, 1% sales tax for schools, New City Hall and the waterfront Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day of early in-person voting

Sat, Oct 31, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Budget, taxes and utility rates

Where it standsThe $739 million FY 2027 budget took effect July 1, 2026; the real estate tax rate stayed at $1.24 per $100 and water, sewer and stormwater rates rose 5%.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the FY 2028 budget, including tax rates, utility rates and the city's contribution to schools.

The council adopted a $739 million budget for fiscal 2027, including a $598 million operating budget and $140.8 million in capital spending. The Virginian-Pilot · May 15, 2026
The real estate tax rate of $1.24 per $100 of assessed value and the personal property tax rate of $5 per $100 stayed the same. The Virginian-Pilot · May 15, 2026
Water, sewer and stormwater rates increased by 5%. The Virginian-Pilot · May 15, 2026
The operating budget ordinance passed 4-3, with Dodson, Thomas and Tillage voting no. City of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026

1% sales tax for schools

Where it standsPortsmouth voters will decide on Nov. 3, 2026 whether the city may add a local sales tax of up to 1% for school construction and major renovations.

What's on the tableIf voters approve it, the next council will decide how the new revenue is used to finance school construction alongside the School Board.

On July 28, 2026 the council voted 5-1 to ask the Circuit Court to order the referendum for Nov. 3, 2026; Moody voted no and Dodson was absent. City of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026
Virginia Department of Taxation projections put the tax at about $13,000,000 a year, usable only for school construction or major renovation. City of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026
Food purchased for consumption and essential personal hygiene products are exempt from the 1% tax. City of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026
The tax would expire no later than June 30, 2046. City of Portsmouth · Jul 28, 2026

New City Hall and the waterfront

Where it standsThe city is paying a private team $2.9 million to complete 35% design of a new City Hall and parking garage at 220 County Street, while a construction agreement is negotiated.

What's on the tableThe next council will vote on whether to approve a final construction agreement for the new City Hall and garage.

The city received an unsolicited proposal on June 27, 2025 to build a new City Hall and parking garage at 220 County Street, and no competing proposals were submitted. City of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
On May 12, 2026 the council approved a $2,915,600 interim agreement for 35% design documents by a 6-1 vote, with Dodson voting no. City of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
Any comprehensive agreement to build the project would need City Council approval. City of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026
The capital plan earmarks $18 million in fiscal 2027 for an estimated $111 million multiyear project to relocate City Hall. The Virginian-Pilot · May 15, 2026

Collective bargaining for city workers

Where it standsThe council adopted an ordinance on Sept. 22, 2026 setting the rules for collective bargaining with police, fire and other city employees.

What's on the tableThe next council will approve or reject the first labor contracts and decide how to pay for them in the budget.

In November 2023 the council authorized collective bargaining for city workers in a 4-2 vote, with Mayor Shannon Glover and Mark Whitaker voting against. The Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
The collective bargaining ordinance was adopted 6-0 on Sept. 22, 2026, with Councilman Dodson absent. City of Portsmouth · Sep 22, 2026
The ordinance sets three bargaining units: sworn police below lieutenant; firefighters, fire marshals and emergency communications workers below captain; and all other city employees. The Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
A memo from the city attorney said costs are hard to know until bargaining begins; at minimum the city must hire a labor relations administrator. The Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026

Housing and infill development

Where it standsThe council decides use permits for new housing one project at a time; in August 2026 it split on two small townhouse projects and approved a senior apartment building.

What's on the tableThe next council will keep ruling on use permits for new housing, including townhouses on small lots in older neighborhoods.

On Aug. 25, 2026 the council denied a use permit for six townhouses at 2400 Airline Boulevard, 3-4. City of Portsmouth · Aug 25, 2026
The same night it approved seven townhomes at 1211 Rodman Avenue and 3614 Race Street, 4-3. City of Portsmouth · Aug 25, 2026
It also approved, 7-0, a four-story senior living building with up to 82 units at 3993 Twin Pines Road. City of Portsmouth · Aug 25, 2026

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 the council have adopted the FY 2027 operating budget in May 2026?
2. Should Portsmouth keep raising water and sewer rates to pay for system upkeep?
3. Should casino revenue be used to lower real estate taxes?
4. Should Portsmouth adopt a 1% sales tax for school construction?
5. Should the city keep moving ahead with a new City Hall and garage on County Street?
6. Should Portsmouth bargain labor contracts with unions representing city employees?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early in-person voting beginsThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Last day of early in-person votingThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026Oct 31, 2026
Election DayThe Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Kathryn W. Bryant, William S. Dodson, Jr., Shannon E. Glover, Yolanda E. Thomas3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Five candidates are competing for three at-large seats on the Portsmouth City Council, and the top three vote-getters will be elected. The Virginian-Pilot · Sep 22, 2026
The Virginia Department of Elections lists five qualified candidates for Member City Council in Portsmouth, all as independents. Virginia Department of Elections
Council members are elected to four-year terms. WAVY
Portsmouth voters elect the mayor; Shannon E. Glover won the 2024 mayoral election with 19,849 votes. Virginia Department of Elections
The mayor votes on council business: roll calls list Bryant, Dodson, Hugel, Moody, Thomas, Tillage and Glover. City of Portsmouth · May 12, 2026

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