Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Radford Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · Unopposed

Seth J. Gillespie7sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

P. Doug KanipeEngineer at Kollmorgen and youth sports program volunteer.5sourced
Bill J. KovarikRadford University professor with a Ph.D. who has served on Radford's Environmental Improvement Committee.5sourced
Chad L. McClanahanKroger employee and personal trainer who has volunteered with United Way of Montgomery County.5sourced
C. Charlie MeeksRetired Radford city street supervisor and youth sports coach who has volunteered with Radford High School athletics.6sourced
Jonathan E. StewartOwner of JES Towing and Recovery, a Radford business, and a past Virginia Jaycee.2sourced

Voters choose a mayor (one candidate on the ballot) and up to two of five candidates for two at-large council seats, each a four-year term; two other council members continue in office.

4 notes on these statements

Seth J. Gillespie is the only candidate for mayor on the official candidate list. Virginia Department of Elections

Council member Jessie Foster is not seeking re-election, and council member Seth Gillespie is running for mayor, leaving two council seats open. Roanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026

Radford candidates appear on the ballot as independents, though some identify with or have been endorsed by a political party. Roanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026

Jonathan E. Stewart declined the Roanoke Times interview request. Roanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kellie ArtripCouncilmember, elected November 20244sourced Guy WohlfordCouncilmember, elected November 20244sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity finances and taxes, 1% school sales tax referendum, Economic development and the Foundry site Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting ends

Sat, Oct 31, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City finances and taxes

Where it standsThe council raised the real estate rate to $0.84 per $100 and adopted an $80.1 million budget for fiscal year 2027, while a forensic audit of city finances continues.

What's on the tableThe next council sets tax rates and the annual budget and acts on the audit's recommendations.

The council voted 4-1 on April 28, 2026 to raise the real estate tax rate from $0.82 to $0.84 per $100 of assessed value. Radford City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
The council adopted a fiscal year 2027 budget of $80,134,986. Radford City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
The forensic auditor reported on July 13, 2026 that seven of 28 areas were finished and that it had 26 recommendations. Radford City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026

1% school sales tax referendum

Where it standsThe council voted 4-1 to put a 1% local sales tax for school construction and major renovation before voters on November 3, 2026.

What's on the tableVoters decide the referendum; the council then governs how the city uses any new revenue.

State law allows a city to levy a sales tax of up to 1%, if approved by referendum, with revenue used solely for school construction or major renovation. Radford City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
Mayor Horton voted no on the resolution placing the referendum on the ballot. Radford City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026

Economic development and the Foundry site

Where it standsThe former Foundry site is city-owned, and candidates offer different plans for economic development, including whether to host a data center.

What's on the tableThe next council decides how to use city-owned land and which development proposals to pursue.

The former Foundry site is now city-owned and is called the West Radford Commerce Park. Cardinal News · Nov 6, 2024
The city has lost businesses, including the former foundry on the New River. Cardinal News · Apr 23, 2026

Flock license plate cameras

Where it standsThe city continues to use Flock cameras while a police chief's advisory committee reviews their use.

What's on the tableThe council may act on the committee's report to keep, change or end the cameras.

Radford's police chief said at the September 14, 2026 council meeting that a Chief's Advisory Committee will review the department's use of Flock cameras and report to council. Radford News Journal · Sep 22, 2026
The Christiansburg town council voted unanimously in August 2026 to shut down its Flock cameras. Radford News Journal · Sep 22, 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. How should Radford close its budget gap?
2. Should Radford welcome a data center?
3. What should Radford do about its Flock cameras?
4. Should Radford bring back a public swimming pool?
5. What should Radford do about its fraternity and sorority sign rules?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early voting beganRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026Sep 18, 2026
Early voting endsRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026Oct 31, 2026
Election DayRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Kellie Artrip, Guy Wohlford3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The Radford City Council has five members: a mayor and four council members, and the mayor votes on council items. Radford City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026

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