Radford Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Seth J. Gillespie
Candidate for Mayor
Seth J. Gillespie is running for mayor of Radford in the Nov 3, 2026 election, unopposed.
Early voting ends · Sat, Oct 31, 2026
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
Where Seth J. Gillespie stands: positions on the record
Taxes and budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on raising the real estate tax rate from $0.82 to $0.84 per $100 (passed 4-1, April 2026).
Council voteRadford City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
as reported by the Roanoke Times voter guide
Said the city must show it has maximized its efficiencies and pursued economic development before asking residents to pay more.
“before we just ask them to pay more, we as a city, we're going to have to be able to demonstrate that we have maximized our efficiencies”
Own statementRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026
Sales tax referendum1 sourced position
Voted yes on a resolution placing a 1% school-construction sales tax referendum on the November 2026 ballot (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteRadford City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
Grant match1 sourced position
Voted yes to return the Appalachian Regional Commission East Main Street trail grant funds because the city could not provide the required match (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteRadford City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
Data center1 sourced position
as reported by the Roanoke Times voter guide
Said he would listen to a data center proposal but would not say he supports one.
“I wouldn't say that I would support one, but I would listen to any business that called”
Own statementRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026
Flock cameras1 sourced position
as reported by the Roanoke Times voter guide
Said he is on the fence about the city's Flock cameras, citing both usefulness and over-surveillance concerns.
“I am squarely on the fence with this issue.”
Own statementRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026
University relationship1 sourced position
as reported by the Roanoke Times voter guide
Said the university's CoGen plant took over a million dollars from the general fund and that university property purchases come off the tax rolls.
Own statementRoanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026
What Seth J. Gillespie said vs. how Seth J. Gillespie voted
Taxes and budget
In their words
Said the city must show it has maximized its efficiencies and pursued economic development before asking residents to pay more.
Oct 3, 2026 ·as reported by the Roanoke Times voter guide ·Roanoke Times · Oct 3, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on raising the real estate tax rate from $0.82 to $0.84 per $100 (passed 4-1, April 2026).
Apr 28, 2026 ·Radford City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
Also running for Mayor
No one else is running for this seat.
All 6 Radford candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
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