Will Pack
Republican
The gist
No documented position found.
Home
City & town
Charleston City Council
At-large
- Vote for
- 6
- Candidates
- 11
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: The council adopts Charleston's budget and ordinances and sets municipal fees and taxes.
Charleston City Council has 26 members: one from each of 20 wards and six at-large (City of Charleston). The at-large nominees are not in the Secretary of State's general-election search.
Da'Ron "Scooby" Parks
Republican
The gist
No documented position found.
Fred Joseph
Republican
The gist
No documented position found.
Lisa Samples White
Republican
The gist
No documented position found.
Patricia A. Smith
Republican
The gist
No documented position found.
Patrick Salango
Democratic
Attorney
The gist
- Supports raises and more funding for police and firefighters
More about Patrick
View sources (1)
Supports raises and more funding for police and firefighters
Patrick Salango for City Council at LargeCampaign website · patricksalangowv.com
“raises and better funding for Charleston’s firefighters and police officers.”
Linda Bodie
Democratic
Financial professional
The gist
- Supports mixed-use Town Center redevelopment with affordable housing
- Proposes grants, tax credits and partnerships to fund redevelopment
More about Linda
View sources (1)
Supports mixed-use Town Center redevelopment with affordable housing
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“I envision mixed-use redevelopment: affordable housing, local retail, community gathering space, and a civic anchor that serves all neighborhoods.”
Proposes grants, tax credits and partnerships to fund redevelopment
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“Funding sources could include federal community development grants, historic tax credits, and public-private partnerships.”
Emmett Pepper
DemocraticIncumbent
Attorney
The gist
- Proposes developer-funded Town Center redevelopment under city guidelines
- Sponsored higher fees for open vacant buildings
- Secured a city Small Business Liaison position
More about Emmett
View sources (2)
Proposes developer-funded Town Center redevelopment under city guidelines
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“If we end up owning the mall, the goal should be that a developer funds redevelopment”
Sponsored higher fees for open vacant buildings
Emmett Pepper for CouncilCampaign website · emmettpepper.com
“Open buildings that can be easily accessed from outside should have higher fees, because the cost to taxpayers from problems in those homes is higher.”
Secured a city Small Business Liaison position
Emmett Pepper for CouncilCampaign website · emmettpepper.com
“Emmett successfully advocated to add a new position to the City of Charleston, a Small Business Liaison to support local area businesses.”
Jennifer Pharr
DemocraticIncumbent
Real estate agent, commercial property manager
The gist
- Supports city ownership and redevelopment of the Town Center mall
More about Jennifer
View sources (1)
Supports city ownership and redevelopment of the Town Center mall
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“I support city ownership and strategic redevelopment of the mall as a catalyst for downtown revitalization and living.”
Caitlin Cook
DemocraticIncumbent
Policy director, Mountaineer Food Bank
The gist
- Supports public and private money for Town Center redevelopment
More about Caitlin
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Supports public and private money for Town Center redevelopment
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“The development will require both private and public money to be a long-term successful investment.”
Shawn Taylor
DemocraticIncumbent
Attorney
The gist
- Supports Town Center purchase only if fiscally responsible
- Proposes public-private partnerships and phased redevelopment for Town Center
More about Shawn
View sources (1)
Supports Town Center purchase only if fiscally responsible
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“I support acquiring the Town Center only if it’s fiscally responsible and protects taxpayers.”
Proposes public-private partnerships and phased redevelopment for Town Center
Primary election 2026: Contested Charleston City Council racesCandidate questionnaire · Charleston Gazette-Mail · Apr 29, 2026 · wvgazettemail.com
“Funding should rely on public-private partnerships, phased redevelopment, and targeted grants [that don't burden] residents.”
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; 4 issues covered in this race.