City & town

Lynchburg City Council

At large

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 9
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The city council (four ward and three at-large members) sets Lynchburg's budget, tax rates and ordinances and appoints the city manager.

Candidates Compare by issue

Christina Anne Delzingaro

No party listed

Chief executive officer, Community Access Network · Garland Hill, Lynchburg

The gist

Supports universal pre-K and well-paid teachers.
Supports housing that teachers and first responders can afford.
Pledges collaborative, transparent decisions on council.
Supports development along downtown, Fort Avenue and Timberlake corridors.
Pledges to maintain roads, water systems and public infrastructure.
Supports wider access to health care through community partnerships.

More about Christina

View sources (3)

Supports universal pre-K and well-paid teachers.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Delzingaro said she would make sure teachers are well paid and facilities are well maintained, and she’d work toward universal pre-K.”
Supports housing that teachers and first responders can afford.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“I think that people who teach, protect and care for Lynchburg should be able to afford to live here”
Pledges collaborative, transparent decisions on council.
Christina Delzingaro
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“I will focus on listening carefully, working collaboratively, and making transparent decisions that serve the long-term interests of the entire Lynchburg community.”
Supports development along downtown, Fort Avenue and Timberlake corridors.
Our Priorities for a Stronger Lynchburg
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“Encouraging thoughtful development in key areas like downtown, Fort Ave and Timberlake”
Pledges to maintain roads, water systems and public infrastructure.
Our Priorities for a Stronger Lynchburg
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“Maintaining and improving roads, water systems, and public infrastructure”
Supports wider access to health care through community partnerships.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“she’s focused on building connections across the community to secure better access to health care”

Nathaniel X. "Nat" Marshall

No party listed

Retired corporate community relations leader (BWXT) · Midtown Lynchburg

The gist

Supports making education his main priority on council.
Supports rehabilitating older homes to add affordable housing.
Supports wider access to affordable housing, childcare and transportation.
Supports a community-centered approach to public safety.
Supports linking education and workforce training to jobs.
Pledges to keep a calm tone in council debates.

More about Nathaniel

View sources (2)

Supports making education his main priority on council.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Marshall’s main priority is education, he said, because it requires collaboration across the entire community”
Supports rehabilitating older homes to add affordable housing.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Another focus, he said, is rehabilitating Lynchburg’s oldest homes to create more affordable housing stock.”
Supports wider access to affordable housing, childcare and transportation.
Our Priorities for a Stronger Lynchburg
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“Improving access to affordable housing, childcare, and transportation”
Supports a community-centered approach to public safety.
Our Priorities for a Stronger Lynchburg
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“Support a community-centered approach to public safety, with strong relationships between public safety professionals and neighborhoods”
Supports linking education and workforce training to jobs.
Our Priorities for a Stronger Lynchburg
Campaign website · Lynchburg Better Together · lynchburgbettertogether.org
“Connecting education and workforce development to real job opportunities”
Pledges to keep a calm tone in council debates.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“the best fight is the one that you don’t have to throw a punch”

R. Dave Henderson Jr

No party listed

Restaurant owner (The Water Dog) · Downtown Lynchburg

The gist

Supports pre-K at every Lynchburg elementary school.
Proposes community service instead of student suspensions.
Supports competitive pay to retain Lynchburg teachers.
Proposes strict city permit timelines for businesses and builders.
Supports zoning that allows townhomes and duplexes.
Proposes accessible public waterfronts along the James River.
Pledges respectful conduct toward colleagues and city staff.

More about R.

View sources (3)

Supports pre-K at every Lynchburg elementary school.
Restore Our Schools!
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“Expanding Pre-K to every elementary school in Lynchburg ensures that every child receives a fair start”
Proposes community service instead of student suspensions.
Policy
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“Trade the suspension desk for community service.”
Supports competitive pay to retain Lynchburg teachers.
Policy
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“We must stop the brain drain and invest in our teachers from culture to compensation”
Proposes strict city permit timelines for businesses and builders.
Policy
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“We are establishing strict permit timelines to make Lynchburg the easiest place to build.”
Supports zoning that allows townhomes and duplexes.
Policy
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“Creating flexible, smart zoning that allows for townhomes, duplexes, and attainable housing options to aggressively solve the local housing shortage.”
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“he wants to expand the stock of “missing middle” housing in Lynchburg”
Proposes accessible public waterfronts along the James River.
Policy
Campaign website · Dave Henderson for Lynchburg City Council · daveforlyh.com
“We will invest in safe, highly accessible waterfronts that draw residents and visitors alike.”
Pledges respectful conduct toward colleagues and city staff.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“it is your responsibility as a leader of this community to treat your community with respect.”

Eli "Shawn Hunter" Rybinni

No party listed

Leader of the Peacemakers organization

The gist

Supports closing the achievement gap for African American students.
Opposes what he calls quiet gentrification of neighborhoods.
Pledges to address crime, violence and homelessness.
Pledges to focus on a people's agenda over arguments.

More about Eli

View sources (1)

Supports closing the achievement gap for African American students.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Rybinni said his priority is to address the educational achievement gap between African American students and their white counterparts”
Opposes what he calls quiet gentrification of neighborhoods.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“he wants to guard against the “quiet gentrification” that he sees in Lynchburg’s neighborhoods.”
Pledges to address crime, violence and homelessness.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“I’m going to address these issues with homelessness, with poverty, with crime and violence.”
Pledges to focus on a people's agenda over arguments.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“I’m a worker, and so I don’t have time to argue.”

Chris M. Boswell

No party listed

Nonprofit and civic leader

The gist

Pledges responsible spending and respect for taxpayers.
Supports relief on property taxes, meals tax and local fees.
Supports investing in police recruitment, retention and training.
Supports holding the School Board accountable for results.
Supports faster permits and inspections for small businesses.
Opposes roundabouts in favor of practical intersections and sidewalks.

More about Chris

View sources (2)

Pledges responsible spending and respect for taxpayers.
Boswell for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Boswell for Lynchburg · boswellforlynchburg.com
“As your Councilman, I will work tirelessly to champion responsible spending”
Supports relief on property taxes, meals tax and local fees.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Fight for relief on property taxes, the meals tax, and local fees”
Supports investing in police recruitment, retention and training.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Invest in recruitment, retention, and training”
Supports holding the School Board accountable for results.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Hold the School Board accountable”
Supports faster permits and inspections for small businesses.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Speed up permits and inspections”
Opposes roundabouts in favor of practical intersections and sidewalks.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Focus on practical intersections and sidewalks, not roundabouts”

Veronica T. Bratton

No party listed

Small-business owner

The gist

Supports reducing city spending to lower taxes.
Proposes incentives for housing developers and first-time homebuyers.
Supports backing the school board and city teachers.
Supports education as the basis for safer streets.
Opposes council members silencing each other's questions.

More about Veronica

View sources (2)

Supports reducing city spending to lower taxes.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Bratton emphasized the need to spend taxpayers’ money more wisely so that taxes can be lowered.”
Meet Veronica
Campaign website · Veronica for Virginia · veronicabratton.com
“Veronica believes city leadership should prioritize responsible spending, lower taxes, and essential services that strengthen the community.”
Proposes incentives for housing developers and first-time homebuyers.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“find incentives for housing developers and first-time homebuyers.”
Supports backing the school board and city teachers.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“She said she would support the school board and the city’s teachers”
Supports education as the basis for safer streets.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“education is the cornerstone to our safe streets and to our economic development.”
Opposes council members silencing each other's questions.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Bratton continued to say that city council members shouldn’t be silenced by each other”

Stephanie T. Reed

No party listedIncumbent

Chief executive officer, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg

The gist

Supports literacy teachers and programs in middle and high schools.
Supports city programs that rehabilitate dilapidated homes for ownership.
Supports lowering the overall tax burden, not just real estate.
Opposes state mandates she views as overreach.
Pledges respectful treatment of city staff and residents.
Proposes a clear, predictable school funding formula.

More about Stephanie

View sources (3)

Supports literacy teachers and programs in middle and high schools.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Reed said she’s prioritizing literacy and hopes to get literacy teachers and programs in the city’s middle and high schools.”
Supports city programs that rehabilitate dilapidated homes for ownership.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“She also said she has a goal to encourage homeownership, with the help of the city’s existing programs”
Supports lowering the overall tax burden, not just real estate.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Lower the overall tax burden – not just the real estate rate”
Opposes state mandates she views as overreach.
Meet the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Lynchburg City Council
News coverage · WSET · wset.com
“fight back against state mandates that overreach into private lives.”
Pledges respectful treatment of city staff and residents.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“every person deserves to be spoken to respectfully — every person, all of our city staff, whether you agree with them or not”
Proposes a clear, predictable school funding formula.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Establish a clear, predictable school funding formula so families, teachers, and taxpayers know where the money is going”

Larry L. Taylor

No party listedIncumbent

Mayor of Lynchburg; business owner · White Rock Hill, Lynchburg

The gist

Pledges to cut the car tax and eventually eliminate it.
Supports lowering taxes, citing his first council term.
Supports keeping Lynchburg's youth curfew.
Pledges full cooperation with federal law enforcement efforts.
Supports involving parents more in children's education.
Proposes fixing traffic design before approving more developments.

More about Larry

View sources (4)

Pledges to cut the car tax and eventually eliminate it.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Cut the car tax and put Lynchburg on a path to eliminate it”
Supports lowering taxes, citing his first council term.
About | Larry Taylor
Campaign website · Friends of Larry Lewis Taylor · larryforlyh.com
“he will continue to fight for lower taxes, our first responders, and educational opportunities for young people.”
Supports keeping Lynchburg's youth curfew.
Meet the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Lynchburg City Council
News coverage · WSET · wset.com
“Larry is passionate about keeping the youth curfew that was set in place”
Pledges full cooperation with federal law enforcement efforts.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Fully cooperate with federal law enforcement efforts”
Supports involving parents more in children's education.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“Taylor emphasized the importance of involving parents in children’s education”
Proposes fixing traffic design before approving more developments.
Our Plan for Lynchburg
Campaign website · Team Lynchburg (Taylor, Reed, Boswell) · teamlynchburg.com
“Fix bad traffic design before approving more developments”

Martin J. Misjuns

No party listedIncumbent

Lynchburg City Council member; small-business owner

The gist

Supports lower taxes and limited government.
Supports lowering taxes to attract new businesses.
Supports lower taxes as a route to affordable housing.
Opposes state mandates that limit individual freedoms.
Supports council members questioning city staff in public.
Supports stronger public safety and fiscal responsibility.

More about Martin

View sources (3)

Supports lower taxes and limited government.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“I’m a Republican. I believe in lower taxes, limited government. I believe in protecting and defending all of your rights”
Supports lowering taxes to attract new businesses.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“He said the key to economic development is lowering taxes so businesses feel encouraged to set up shop”
Supports lower taxes as a route to affordable housing.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“lower taxes are also needed to improve access to affordable housing.”
Opposes state mandates that limit individual freedoms.
Meet the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for Lynchburg City Council
News coverage · WSET · wset.com
“Marty is also passionate about protecting citizens from state mandates that take away from a person's individual freedoms.”
Supports council members questioning city staff in public.
8 quotes on civility from 8 Lynchburg City Council candidates
News coverage · Cardinal News · cardinalnews.org
“We get elected to ask tough questions on your behalf”
Supports stronger public safety and fiscal responsibility.
Martin Misjuns for Lynchburg City Council
Campaign website · Misjuns for Lynchburg · misjuns.com
“advocating for fiscal responsibility, stronger public safety, and putting Lynchburg families and taxpayers first.”

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; 9 issues covered in this race.