City & town

Roanoke City Council

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 7
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The city council sets Roanoke's budget, tax rates and ordinances and appoints the city manager.

Candidates Compare by issue

S. M. "Danny" Clawson

No party listed

Executive director, Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition

The gist

Supports growing the tax base over raising taxes.
Supports keeping the 40% city-schools funding formula.
Proposes a public bid for entertainment district plans.
Proposes requiring affordable units in new apartment complexes.
Proposes a land value tax to discourage land speculation.
Opposes Raven and Flock surveillance, favoring intervention programs.
Opposes city cooperation with ICE beyond legal requirements.
Proposes the maximum cannabis sales tax to fund education.

More about S.

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Supports growing the tax base over raising taxes.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“There's only two ways to fix a revenue shortage - raise taxes or increase our tax base. I prefer the latter.”
Supports keeping the 40% city-schools funding formula.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I support maintaining a standard funding formula at 40% to protect our children, teachers, and parents from becoming a political football. … We also need to support collective bargaining for our teachers”
Proposes a public bid for entertainment district plans.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Rather than cutting a sweetheart deal with a middling company, we should put out a public bid for entertainment plans”
Proposes requiring affordable units in new apartment complexes.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“support legislation that allows Roanoke to require that all new apartment complexes include affordable and deeply affordable units”
Proposes a land value tax to discourage land speculation.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Roanoke should enact a Land Value Tax which discourages corporate land speculation of parking lots or vacant properties”
Opposes Raven and Flock surveillance, favoring intervention programs.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Rather than spending money on unsecure and faulty surveillance like Raven and Flock, Roanoke needs to target offenders with intensive wrap-around support.”
Opposes city cooperation with ICE beyond legal requirements.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“While the city will comply when compelled by law, we should not be going out of our way to accommodate an agency”
Proposes the maximum cannabis sales tax to fund education.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Once recreational cannabis is authorized, we should apply the maximum sales tax rate of 3.5% and re-invest those funds into education.”

Raekwon M. Moore

No party listed

Electronic health records specialist

The gist

Proposes dedicating part of the meals tax to schools.
Proposes speeding up city permitting to keep businesses.
Supports a voter referendum if a casino is proposed.
Proposes adding reasonable parking requirements to the zoning amendment.
Opposes Flock cameras and Raven listening devices.
Opposes local help with federal immigration enforcement.
Supports better bus stops and more efficient bus routes.

More about Raekwon

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Proposes dedicating part of the meals tax to schools.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I support dedicating a portion of our meals tax revenue to our public schools”
Proposes speeding up city permitting to keep businesses.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Improving the efficiency within our permitting department is vital.”
Supports a voter referendum if a casino is proposed.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I would support putting the question on the ballot so Roanokers could decide whether it is the right decision for our community.”
Proposes adding reasonable parking requirements to the zoning amendment.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“reworking the zoning amendment to include reasonable parking requirements”
Opposes Flock cameras and Raven listening devices.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“scale back surveillance so that we are not encroaching on our citizens' right to privacy through invasive AI technologies like Flock cameras and listening devices”
Opposes local help with federal immigration enforcement.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Roanoke City should follow the law, but we should not be aiding efforts meant to harm or intimidate our neighbors.”
Supports better bus stops and more efficient bus routes.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Improving public transportation through better bus stops and more efficient routes makes it easier for Roanokers to find and keep a job.”

Amanda F. Marko

No party listed

Small business owner (economic development and marketing)

The gist

Pledges to grow Roanoke's economy without raising taxes.
Pledges a fair and consistent school funding formula.
Opposes a casino; seeks developer plans for the Civic Center.
Supports permitting reform and financing for first-time homebuyers.
Opposes Flock cameras and Raven audio detection.
Proposes regional funding for homelessness services.
Proposes recruiting advanced manufacturing and medical device firms.

More about Amanda

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Pledges to grow Roanoke's economy without raising taxes.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I envision a Roanoke that grows its way out of this without raising taxes.”
Pledges a fair and consistent school funding formula.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“For the schools, I will fight for a fair and consistent funding formula, flexibility to manage its budget”
Opposes a casino; seeks developer plans for the Civic Center.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“A casino being part of the entertainment offering is far-fetched … initiate discussions with developers who could provide realistic plans for transforming, modernizing, and capitalizing on our Civic Center”
Supports permitting reform and financing for first-time homebuyers.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I support permitting reform, aggressive code enforcement on vacant and abandoned properties, and creative financing for first-time and workforce homebuyers.”
Opposes Flock cameras and Raven audio detection.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I completely oppose always-on systems like Flock cameras and Raven audio detection that lack clear protections”
Proposes regional funding for homelessness services.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“What's missing is regional funding and accountability so that Roanoke is not left alone bearing the cost”
Proposes recruiting advanced manufacturing and medical device firms.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I want Roanoke to aggressively pursue contract development and manufacturing organizations, medical device and surgical instrument manufacturers”

Kathy S. Cohen

No party listed

Rabbi emerita, Temple Emanuel

The gist

Opposes raising property taxes to close the budget gap.
Opposes a casino at the Berglund Center.
Opposes council members signing nondisclosure agreements.
Opposes the 2024 rezoning; proposes land-bank rehab of blighted homes.
Supports raising police pay to match Roanoke County.
Supports refusing unhoused people sent from other localities.
Supports deporting undocumented people convicted of violent crimes.
Proposes redirecting city amenity spending to schools.

More about Kathy

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Opposes raising property taxes to close the budget gap.
How 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.”
Opposes a casino at the Berglund Center.
How 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.”
Opposes council members signing nondisclosure agreements.
How 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.”
Opposes the 2024 rezoning; proposes land-bank rehab of blighted homes.
How 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”
Supports raising police pay to match Roanoke County.
How 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”
Supports refusing unhoused people sent from other localities.
How 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.”
Supports deporting undocumented people convicted of violent crimes.
How 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.”
Proposes redirecting city amenity spending to schools.
How 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.”

Stephanie M. Moon

No party listed

Retired Roanoke city clerk

The gist

Opposes relying on higher real estate taxes for revenue.
Proposes a joint council–school board review of school funding.
Supports studying casino costs and impacts before taking a position.
Supports neighborhood-specific housing policies over uniform rules.
Supports homelessness nonprofits pooling resources.
Supports youth mentorship and violence prevention programs.
Supports regional partnerships to grow the tax base.

More about Stephanie

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Opposes relying on higher real estate taxes for revenue.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“generating sustainable revenue to meet our community's growing needs without placing an ever-increasing burden on taxpayers through higher real estate taxes”
Proposes a joint council–school board review of school funding.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I support bringing City Council and the School Board together to examine the long-term impact of the current funding model”
Supports studying casino costs and impacts before taking a position.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Before taking a position, I would want to understand the potential benefits, community impacts, and long-term costs.”
Supports neighborhood-specific housing policies over uniform rules.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“housing solutions should reflect their unique strengths and needs rather than rely on a one-size-fits-all approach”
Supports homelessness nonprofits pooling resources.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I encouraged four nonprofit agencies providing homelessness services to consider pooling resources and reducing duplication”
Supports youth mentorship and violence prevention programs.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I believe we should continue supporting programs that provide young people with positive opportunities, mentorship, job skills, and alternatives to violence.”
Supports regional partnerships to grow the tax base.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“one of the best opportunities for Roanoke is greater collaboration and partnerships with neighboring localities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and investors.”

David A. Bowers

No party listed

Attorney

The gist

Proposes ending all city nondisclosure agreements.
Opposes a casino at the Berglund Center.
Supports reinstating the former council–schools budget formula.
Pledges to vote to repeal the current rezoning ordinance.
Supports maintaining existing facilities before new projects.
Opposes Flock cameras, citing constitutional concerns.

More about David

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Proposes ending all city nondisclosure agreements.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I would end all Non-Disclosure Agreements and forbid elected officials from entering NDA contracts with private or commercial entities in the future.”
Opposes a casino at the Berglund Center.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I oppose a casino at the Berglund Center. … the proposed dissolution of the Hotel Roanoke Commission”
Supports reinstating the former council–schools budget formula.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I am for re-instating the council ... budget formula which worked well for many years”
Pledges to vote to repeal the current rezoning ordinance.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“If elected, I will vote ASAP to repeal the current re-zoning ordinance”
Supports maintaining existing facilities before new projects.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Roanoke needs to address current needs rather than push forward on future projects.”
Opposes Flock cameras, citing constitutional concerns.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“There is a lot of controversy and constitutional concerns about Flock cameras, and, I, too, share those concerns.”

Vivian Y. Sanchez-Jones

No party listedIncumbent

Roanoke City Council member; community advocate

The gist

Supports a well-managed casino within an entertainment district.
Supports seeking state authority for inclusionary housing.
Supports nondisclosure agreements when competing for investments.
Supports sports facilities that attract outside tournaments.
Supported pay increases for city employees.
Supports community policing and crime prevention programs.
Supports leaving immigration enforcement to federal authorities.

More about Vivian

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Supports a well-managed casino within an entertainment district.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I also believe a well-managed casino could be a valuable asset as part of a broader entertainment district.”
Supports seeking state authority for inclusionary housing.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I support continuing to work with state leaders to provide localities with additional tools, including inclusionary housing options.”
Supports nondisclosure agreements when competing for investments.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Non-disclosure agreements can be necessary when competing for jobs and investments, such as the Ringana project.”
Supports sports facilities that attract outside tournaments.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“This includes sports facilities that attract tournaments and visitors from outside the region, creating economic activity for local businesses.”
Supported pay increases for city employees.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I supported efforts to improve compensation because many city employees were earning wages that were not keeping pace with the cost of living.”
Supports community policing and crime prevention programs.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“We must continue investing in community policing, technology, prevention programs, and partnerships that address the root causes of crime.”
Supports leaving immigration enforcement to federal authorities.
How to vote in Roanoke: Roanoke City Council candidate questionnaire responses (Cardinal News voter guide data)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.”

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; 8 issues covered in this race.