City & town

Mayor, City of Lakeland

Vote for: 1
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The mayor heads the City of Lakeland's government and presides over its Board of Commissioners.

Nonpartisan.

Candidates Compare by issue

Connie McCarter

No party listed

The gist

Opposes tax increases for Lakeland residents
Supports neighborhood watch programs using already-appropriated funds
Supports road maintenance investment in every Lakeland neighborhood
Supports growth that strengthens the tax base without straining services
Supports protecting trees, terrain and green space in development

More about Connie

View sources (2)

Opposes tax increases for Lakeland residents
Connie McCarter for Lakeland Mayor
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Connie McCarter · mccarterformayor.com
“Connie has never voted for a tax increase”
Supports neighborhood watch programs using already-appropriated funds
Lakeland Issues: Connie's Priorities for Lakeland
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Connie McCarter · mccarterformayor.com
“utilizing funds already appropriated to institute Neighborhood Watch Programs throughout Lakeland”
Supports road maintenance investment in every Lakeland neighborhood
Lakeland Issues: Connie's Priorities for Lakeland
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Connie McCarter · mccarterformayor.com
“Invest in road maintenance and improvement, so every neighborhood in Lakeland can count on safe, well-maintained streets.”
Supports growth that strengthens the tax base without straining services
Lakeland Issues: Connie's Priorities for Lakeland
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Connie McCarter · mccarterformayor.com
“Growth should strengthen Lakeland's tax base, not strain city services or overwhelm existing neighborhoods.”
Supports protecting trees, terrain and green space in development
Lakeland Issues: Connie's Priorities for Lakeland
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Connie McCarter · mccarterformayor.com
“Protect rolling terrain, trees, and green space that keeps new development in step with the natural landscape residents love.”

Josh Roman

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

Supports keeping Lakeland's property tax rate at $0.94In office
Supports eliminating Lakeland's failing residential roads by 2030In office
Supports using Highway 70 commercial revenue to offset residential costsIn office
Supports the city's local patrol partnership with the sheriffIn office
Supports a YMCA-partnered community center and aquatic facilityIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Josh

View sources (1)

Supports keeping Lakeland's property tax rate at $0.94
Mayor Josh Roman Highlights Progress and Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address
Government record · City of Lakeland · lakelandtn.gov
“Lakeland continues to maintain a $0.94 property tax rate per $100 of assessed value”
Supports eliminating Lakeland's failing residential roads by 2030
Mayor Josh Roman Highlights Progress and Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address
Government record · City of Lakeland · lakelandtn.gov
“eliminating Level 1 failing roads by 2030”
Supports using Highway 70 commercial revenue to offset residential costs
Mayor Josh Roman Highlights Progress and Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address
Government record · City of Lakeland · lakelandtn.gov
“dedicates a portion of new commercial revenues from Highway 70 development to help offset municipal operating expenses at the residential level”
Supports the city's local patrol partnership with the sheriff
Mayor Josh Roman Highlights Progress and Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address
Government record · City of Lakeland · lakelandtn.gov
“Through the City’s partnership with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, a dedicated local office footprint has been established on Canada Road”
Supports a YMCA-partnered community center and aquatic facility
Mayor Josh Roman Highlights Progress and Priorities in 2026 State of the City Address
Government record · City of Lakeland · lakelandtn.gov
“Construction continues on the Lakeland Community Center & Aquatic Facility in partnership with the YMCA”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.