Winchester, VAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Winchester City Council Election 2026

4 of 9

council seats up

4 contests

8 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.

City Council Ward 1 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

One of the two council seats in each of Winchester's four wards is on this ballot; voters choose among the candidates running in their own ward.

2 notes on these statements

Kim M. Herbstritt, Miles K. Davis, Jenny McDonald and Klio N. Stroubakis took part in the Winchester Worth Fighting For candidates forum; Nancy G. Campbell, Brenda K. Crouse, Nate J. Prezzy and Emily Rose Windle did not attend. Organizers said all candidates were invited. The Winchester Star

The state's candidate list records Miles K. Davis and Kim M. Herbstritt as Democratic, Nancy G. Campbell, Nate J. Prezzy and Brenda K. Crouse as Republican, and Jenny McDonald, Klio N. Stroubakis and Emily Rose Windle as Independent. Virginia Department of Elections

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

John C. FoxCouncilor, Ward 4 and Vice-Mayor; term expires 20285sourcedChip NewcomeCouncilor, Ward 1; term expires 20285sourcedTerry L. SloaneCouncilor, Ward 2; term expires 20285sourcedCorey SullivanCouncilor, Ward 3 and Council President; term expires 20285sourcedLes VeachMayor; term expires 20285sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesCity budget, taxes and school funding, Casino feasibility study, Sales tax for school constructionKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Voter registration deadline

Fri, Oct 23, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City budget, taxes and school funding

Where it standsCouncil kept the real estate tax rate at $0.795 per $100 and passed the FY 2027 budget 6-3 in 2026 without a meals tax increase.

What's on the tableThe next council sets the next real estate tax rate, adopts the next budget and decides how much to give Winchester Public Schools.

Casino feasibility study

Where it standsCouncil backed a casino feasibility review in January 2026, and the proposal has since gone dormant.

What's on the tableIf the council revisits a casino proposal, it would go to city voters in a referendum.

Sales tax for school construction

Where it standsVoters will decide on November 3, 2026 whether the city may levy an extra sales tax of up to 1% for school capital projects.

What's on the tableIf voters say yes, the council would decide whether to adopt an ordinance and at what rate.

Nonprofits and city services

Where it standsWinchester has an ongoing rift between council and nonprofits over services the nonprofits use but do not directly fund through taxes.

What's on the tableThe council could decide whether to seek payments in lieu of taxes from larger nonprofits.

  • More than 300 nonprofit organizations are based in Winchester and they occupy about 20% of the land in the city. The Winchester Star
  • The four candidates at the Nonprofit Collaborative forum said they would be willing to consider seeking payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) revenue from larger nonprofits. The Winchester Star

Size of the City Council

Where it standsThe city manager presented seven-member and five-member options in September 2026, and council unanimously objected to reducing its size.

What's on the tableThe next council could take up the size of the council again.

  • On Sept. 8, City Manager John Piper presented councilors with scenarios for a seven-member council and a five-member panel. The Winchester Star
  • On Sept. 22, council unanimously objected to reducing its size and the matter was dropped. The Winchester Star

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. 1. Should Winchester keep exploring a destination casino?

  2. 2. Should Winchester raise local taxes to pay for more school and city spending?

  3. 3. Should Winchester approve a sales tax of up to 1% for school construction?

  4. 4. Should large nonprofits make payments in lieu of taxes for city services?

  5. 5. How large should the City Council be?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): John C. Fox, Chip Newcome, Terry L. Sloane, Corey Sullivan, Les Veach4 on this ballot

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

  • Council members are elected on a staggered basis, with 4 of the 8 members (1 from each ward) elected every 2 years. City of Winchester
  • The Mayor is elected at-large, and the Mayor and council members serve 4-year terms. City of Winchester
  • Regular Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday at 6:00 pm. City of Winchester

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