Kathy S. Cohen
Candidate for Roanoke City Council
Background
- Occupation
- Rabbi emerita, Temple Emanuel
- Campaign website
- kathycohenforroanoke.com
Rabbi emerita of Temple Emanuel in Roanoke, where she served from 1996 until retiring in June 2025. Chairs Roanoke's Gun Violence Prevention Commission and is a past chair of the Family Promise board.
Photo: Candidate-submitted photo — Cardinal News voter guide
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Opposes raising property taxes to close the budget gap.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I am opposed to raising property (personal or real estate) taxes to solve the revenue problem.”
Public safety
Supports raising police pay to match Roanoke County.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I believe that we need to find ways to pay our officers equivalently to the County”
Education
Proposes redirecting city amenity spending to schools.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Hidden within the budget are amenity expenditures (new items - not maintenance) that I would have directed to the schools.”
Housing
Opposes the 2024 rezoning; proposes land-bank rehab of blighted homes.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I do not believe the rezoning amendment of 2024 was necessary or effective. … Through the land bank, the city can work with small, young, upcoming developers and rehab or rebuild these properties”
Economy & jobs
Opposes a casino at the Berglund Center.
She suggested an indoor athletic facility for tournaments instead.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I am opposed to a casino as a part of any new vision for the Berglund Center.”
Health & human services
Supports refusing unhoused people sent from other localities.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“we must let surrounding areas know and enforce that we cannot accept unhoused individuals from their areas.”
Government & transparency
Opposes council members signing nondisclosure agreements.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“This cannot happen when Council members sign a non-disclosure agreement.”
Supports deporting undocumented people convicted of violent crimes.
She also supports a temporary legal status allowing other undocumented immigrants to work.
ReportHow to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I am fully in favor of undocumented individuals who are convicted of violent crimes being deported.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Kathy S. Cohen on them.
- Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
All sources (3)
- Candidate list, November 3, 2026 General Election: City of Roanoke (all offices)
Election filing · Virginia Department of Elections · elections.virginia.gov
- Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 General and Special Elections: City of Roanoke
Election filing · City of Roanoke Electoral Board · roanokeva.gov
- How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.