---
title: "Three Newcomers Win City Council Seats in Bristol"
url: https://www.herebristol.com/2026/11/04/three-newcomers-win-bristol-tennessee-city-council-seats/
date: 2026-11-04T06:37:00-05:00
modified: 2026-11-04T06:37:00-05:00
author: "Nadia Cross"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HEREBristol"
attribution: "HEREBristol"
---

# Three Newcomers Win City Council Seats in Bristol

> BRISTOL, Tenn. — Every district seat on the Bristol City Council will change hands after Tuesday's election, as voters in Bristol, Tennessee, picked three newcomers to fill the East, South and West seats, according to unofficial results from the Sullivan County Election Commission with all 30 county polling places reporting. The closest race came in

*Source: [HEREBristol](https://www.herebristol.com/2026/11/04/three-newcomers-win-bristol-tennessee-city-council-seats/) — November 4, 2026 by Nadia Cross*

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Every district seat on the Bristol City Council will change hands after Tuesday’s election, as voters in Bristol, Tennessee, picked three newcomers to fill the East, South and West seats, according to unofficial results from the Sullivan County Election Commission with all 30 county polling places reporting.

The closest race came in the West District. James Kyte, who goes by Jay, took 3,523 votes, or 53.14%, to 3,107 votes, or 46.86%, for Lea Powers, a margin of 416 votes out of 6,630 cast. Kyte led in every category, winning early voting 1,942 to 1,702 and Election Day voting 1,517 to 1,350.

In the East District, Andrew Meyer beat Wayne Hayton 3,562 to 2,579, a 58% to 42% split. Hayton led among absentee ballots, 64 to 46, but Meyer carried early voting 1,882 to 1,439 and won the Election Day count 1,634 to 1,076.

David E. Warren ran unopposed in the South District and collected 5,540 votes.

The turnover follows the decision by longtime council member and former mayor Margaret Feierabend not to seek another term after 29 years of service.

Voters also filled three seats on the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education. Debbie Darnell defeated Rhonda Helms 4,371 to 2,780 in the South District, taking 61.12% of the vote. Anthony Harris was unopposed in the East District with 5,441 votes, and Jim N. Butcher was unopposed in the West District with 5,671 votes.

Countywide, Sullivan County reported 46,483 ballots cast. The results remain unofficial until the election commission certifies them.