BRISTOL, Tenn. — People running for city council on both sides of State Street shared one stage Thursday night, Oct. 22, as the Bristol Chamber held a joint candidate forum at the Paramount Theatre downtown.
Eleven candidates are competing for a combined six seats on the councils of Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia. The forum was put together by the chamber’s Government Relations team, and the event was free to the public with registration.
Questions centered on business and community priorities. Candidates talked through economic development, taxes, openness in government and how the twin cities can work together more closely.
On the Tennessee side, the field on stage included Wayne Hayton, David Warren, Jay Kyte and council member Lea Powers. Virginia participants included Mayor Jake Holmes, Vice Mayor Neal Osborne, council member Michael Pollard and candidate Jackie Nophlin.
In Bristol, Tennessee, three of the five council seats are on the ballot, and two of those have no incumbent running. The East District race pits Andrew Meyer against Wayne Hayton. Only one name, David E. Warren, appears for the South District. Out west, Vice Mayor Lea Powers faces a challenge from James Jay Kyte.
The council races are nonpartisan, and every voter in the city may cast a ballot in all three district contests. This is the first time voters pick council members since last year’s budget lifted the city property tax rate about 21%, a move many residents opposed.
Ballots are already being cast on the Tennessee side. Statewide early voting started Wednesday and ends Oct. 29, ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.
Section: More Bristol TN politics news
Filed under: Bristol TN Politics News
