Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Laramie City Council Election 2026

4 of 9

council seats up

3 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

Eric HendersonHost of The Talk Shop on KOCA 93.5 who worked in Laramie radio advertising sales for about 16 years. He holds University of Wyoming bachelor's and master's degrees.3sourced
Nicholas JesseUniversity of Wyoming business college career services manager and former Laramie PrideFest chair. He chaired PrideFest in 2023-2024.2sourced

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · Vote for up to 2

Voters elect council members by ward. Ward 1 and Ward 2 each fill one seat and Ward 3 fills two, all for four-year terms. The mayor is chosen by the council, not on the ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Jayne Pearce did not file in the spring; she was nominated for the November ballot as a write-in candidate in the August primary after Brandon Newman's only filed opponent dropped out. The Laramie Reporter · Sep 18, 2026

Vice-Mayor Micah Richardson is leaving the council, leaving the Ward 1 seat open. The Laramie Reporter · Sep 16, 2026

The City Council members page lists Brandon Newman and Erin O'Doherty as the Ward 2 and Ward 3 members whose terms expire in January 2027. City of Laramie

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

William BowlingWard 1 Councilmember; term ends January 20293sourced Sharon CumbieMayor and Ward 1 Councilmember; term ends January 20293sourced Jim FriedWard 2 Councilmember; term ends January 20293sourced Matt LockhartWard 3 Councilmember; term ends January 20293sourced Melanie VigilWard 2 Councilmember; term ends January 20292sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPaying for stormwater infrastructure, Housing and development, Rental housing rules Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins

Tue, Oct 6, 2026

TomorrowAll key dates

What the next council decides

Paying for stormwater infrastructure

Where it standsThe council repealed its stormwater fee in spring 2026; state lawmakers are discussing rules for how cities may fund stormwater work.

What's on the tableWhether and how Laramie pays for stormwater and flood-control projects, and how it works with new state rules.

A city report shows Laramie would need to spend about $130 million across the next decade to shore up its flood mitigation infrastructure. The Laramie Reporter · Aug 22, 2025
The council approved first reading of the ordinance repealing the stormwater chapter 6-0 on March 3, 2026, with three members absent. Laramie City Council minutes, March 3, 2026 · Mar 3, 2026
Lawmakers on Wyoming's Select Water Committee have been in talks with Laramie and Cheyenne city officials, the University of Wyoming and other stakeholders to craft new state statutes on how municipalities can fund stormwater infrastructure. The Laramie Reporter · Oct 1, 2026

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council approved a West Side urban renewal plan 9-0 in May 2026, and a school-site partnership has cleared the way for more than 30 homes at Old Slade Elementary.

What's on the tableWhich incentives, zoning rules and partnerships the city uses to encourage new homes, and where.

On May 6, 2026 the council voted 9-0 for Resolution 2026-34, recommending approval of the West Side Urban Renewal Plan and Project. Laramie City Council minutes, May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026
Community collaborations have cleared the way for more than 30 new homes on the site of Old Slade Elementary. The Laramie Reporter · Oct 1, 2026

Rental housing rules

Where it standsThe 2022 rental housing code remains in effect; enforcement against non-compliant landlords has proved difficult.

What's on the tableWhether to strengthen the rental code and its enforcement.

In 2022, the council adopted the City Rental Housing Code on a 7-2 vote. The Laramie Reporter · Sep 18, 2026
More than half of all Laramie residents rent the home they live in. The Laramie Reporter · Oct 1, 2026

Contractor licensing and building rules

Where it standsThe council amended general contractor licensing rules in November 2025, and one Ward 3 candidate proposes rolling licensing back.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, simplify or roll back contractor licensing and other building requirements.

On November 18, 2025 the council passed Ordinance No. 2114 on third reading 6-2, clarifying general contractor licensing years of experience and the appeals process. Laramie City Council minutes, November 18, 2025 · Nov 18, 2025

Communication with residents

Where it standsCandidates in all three wards raise how the city informs and listens to residents.

What's on the tableHow the council notifies residents of decisions and gathers public input.

After complaints about the stormwater fee, the council hosted a town hall to field concerns from residents. The Laramie Reporter · Sep 16, 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 Laramie have a dedicated stormwater fee?
2. How should Laramie encourage new housing?
3. Should Laramie strengthen its rental housing rules?
4. Should Laramie license general contractors?
5. How should the council engage residents?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Early voting beginsThe Laramie Reporter · Oct 1, 2026Oct 6, 2026
Campaign contribution and expenditure statements due (7 days before the general election)City of LaramieOct 27, 2026
General electionCity of LaramieNov 3, 2026

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): William Bowling, Sharon Cumbie, Jim Fried, Matt Lockhart, Melanie Vigil4 on this ballot

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

The City Council has nine members who serve overlapping four-year terms. They are elected from three wards, with three members from each ward. City of Laramie
The mayor and the vice-mayor are selected by the City Council every two years at the first council meeting in January. City of Laramie
Four of the nine seats are on the November 2026 ballot; the other five go on the ballot in 2028. All Laramie City Council races are nonpartisan. The Laramie Reporter · Sep 16, 2026

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