City & town
Bristol City Council
- Vote for
- 3
- Term
- 4 years
- Candidates
- 6
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: The city council sets Bristol's budget, tax rates and ordinances and appoints the city manager.
Taxes & budget
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Supports a host-city fee from casino gaming revenue.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
- Supports seeking a larger share of casino gaming tax revenue.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
- Supports reducing real estate and vehicle taxes.
- Supports Bristol receiving most local casino gaming revenue.
Public safety
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Supports reviewing first responder pay and staffing levels.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
No documented position found.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
No documented position found.
Education
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Supports letting voters decide a 1% school construction sales tax.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
No documented position found.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
- Opposes raising the sales tax for school construction.
Housing
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Supports zoning rules that make building housing easier.
- Supports hiring another code enforcement officer for housing upkeep.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
- Proposes a 10-year real estate tax abatement for home improvements.
- Proposes easing zoning for duplexes and townhouses near downtown.
- Proposes using city-owned lots for rent-locked workforce housing.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
- Supports drawing housing developers to add supply and lower costs.
- Supports a tax-rebate incentive for residential redevelopment.
Economy & jobs
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
- Pledges to help bring better jobs to Bristol.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Supports economic development and tourism to grow city revenue.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
- Supports growing the tax base through development and population growth.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
No documented position found.
Roads & infrastructure
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
No documented position found.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
- Supports more funding for pothole patching and street repair.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Jackie L. NophlinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Elijah D. WalkerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Melissa K. BrownDemocratic
No documented position found.
Jake Preston HolmesIndependent
- Pledges to keep pursuing a Virginia Intermont property resolution.
F. Neal OsborneIndependent
- Supports fines to force Virginia Intermont site cleanup.
Michael W. PollardIndependent
- Supports mixed-use redevelopment of the Virginia Intermont campus.
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; 7 issues covered in this race.