Welcome to our one-stop shop of The Rambler's Roanoke City Council election coverage thus far. We'll continue to update this page with stories through the Nov. 8 general election, which will determine who controls the council's majority.

Three regular four-year terms are up for election and so is one two-year term, the remainder of the term held by Robert Jeffrey Jr., who relinquished the seat in March after a felony conviction.

Since 2021, we've been providing the most comprehensive news coverage of the Roanoke City Council elections. Below you'll find our interviews with the four Democratic candidates ahead of the June 21 primary, as well as a dozen more stories about Republicans, independents and campaign issues of local concern.

Happy reading!

Nov. 2: Candidate Volosin Again Center of Alleged Campaign Misdeed in Roanoke City Council Race

Peter Volosin, a Democratic candidate for Roanoke City Council, is again facing allegations of political misbehavior in the competitive race. Volosin was responsible for the removal last month of campaign signs belonging to Preston Tyler and David Bowers from outside a law office in southwest Roanoke, those independent candidates told The Rambler last week. [Read more]

Nov. 2: Cobb raises most money, Sanchez-Jones has most on hand

Individual Democratic candidates for Roanoke City Council continue to outpace Republicans and independents in fundraising, according to the latest campaign finance reports. [Read more]

Oct. 26: Bestpitch, Moon Reynolds make Council endorsements

Independent Roanoke City Council members are splitting their tickets in the upcoming local election — endorsing Democrats, Republicans and independents. [Read more]

Roanoke City Council Candidate Peter Volosin on Diversifying the Economy, Urban Planning, and Building Green Infrastructure

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Peter Volosin, 36, works as a real estate agent with Lichtenstein Rowan Realtors. The Roanoke native ran for U.S. Congress in 2018 and Roanoke City Council in 2020. He lives in the Clermont Heights area of South Roanoke.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Preston Tyler on Freezing Rents, Satellite Police Stations, and Democrats' Reactive Outlook

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Preston Tyler, 44, is the pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church and a funeral attendant at Serenity Funeral Home. He recently moved to the Eastgate area of Northeast Roanoke. This is his first run for elected office.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Dalton Baugess on Hiring More Police, Developing Vacant Malls, and Cracking Down on Crime

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Dalton Baugess, 52, is a logistics officer with the rank of captain in Salem Fire-EMS. He is a resident of the Grandin Court neighborhood in southwest Roanoke. This is his first run for elected office.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Joe Cobb on Deterring Youth From Gun Violence, Dismantling Racism, and Listening to Land

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Joe Cobb, 60, is a part-time chaplain at Hermitage Roanoke, a senior living community in Northwest Roanoke. A resident of Old Southwest, he was first elected in 2018 to Roanoke City Council and serves as chair of the city's Gun Violence Prevention Commission.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Jamaal Jackson on Retaining Police, Strong Neighborhoods, and Protecting Green Spaces

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Jamaal Jackson, 38, is the pastor of ReFreshing Church. A resident of downtown, Jackson serves as vice chair of Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates. This is his first run for elected office.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Nick Hagen on Shootings Downtown, Government Bloat, and Imposing a Marijuana Tax

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Nick Hagen, 34, is an attorney focused on cannabis law and a property developer. He lives downtown, and this is his first run for elected office.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Vivian Sanchez-Jones on Being An Advocate, Riding the Bus and Bringing Benches to Amtrak

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Sanchez-Jones, 62, is a student support specialist for Roanoke City Public Schools. A resident of the Wildwood neighborhood in Northeast Roanoke, Sanchez-Jones was appointed by City Council in October 2020 to fill the unexpired term of former councilwoman Djuna Osborne

Roanoke City Council Candidate David Bowers on Segregation, His Middle-Class Constituents, and Tackling Climate Change

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Bowers, 70, is an attorney and an instructor at Roanoke Catholic School. He lives in the Mill Mountain area. Bowers was a member of Roanoke City Council from 1984 to 1992 and served as mayor from 1992 until 2016. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2020.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Maynard Keller on Police Pay, Breakdowns in City Services, and Judeo-Christian Values

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Keller, 55, is a certified financial planner. A resident of Summit Hills in Northwest Roanoke, Keller ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2020.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Peg McGuire on Urban Renewal, School Closures' Dire Impacts, and 'After Church on Sundays'

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. McGuire, 54, is a freelance marketing consultant. A resident of Deyerle, McGuire ran for City Council in 2020, coming fourth in a race that elected three members of Council. (Jeffrey came in third.)

Roanoke City Council Candidate Luke Priddy on Working in State Government, Investing in Parks and Pushing the City Manager

In advance of the Nov. 8 election for Roanoke City Council, The Roanoke Rambler is publishing interviews with each of the 11 candidates. Priddy, 30, is chief of staff to state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke. A resident of Old Southwest, Priddy ran for City Council in 2020 and sought appointment to Jeffrey’s seat this year.

Sept. 14: As Roanoke City Council Races Heat Up, Democrats and Republicans Turn to PAC Money

Local Republicans and Democrats are turning to money from special PACs for the first time in recent memory as the campaign season for Roanoke City Council heats up. [Read more]

Aug. 24: Most candidates don't support Roanoke city manager

All eleven candidates for Roanoke City Council gathered Tuesday night for the first time to share their vision for the city. ... Asked if they support the current city manager, Bob Cowell, a majority of candidates said no. [Read more]

Aug. 17: Roanoke Council candidate fined in sample ballot issue

Roanoke City Council candidate Peter Volosin was fined $50 by the state board of elections Tuesday for his campaign's distribution of unauthorized sample ballots in June’s Democratic primary. [Read more]

July 20: Election complaint filed against Roanoke Council candidate

Peter Volosin isn’t the only Roanoke City Council candidate facing a possible hearing of complaints to the state board of elections next month. Campaign signs for independent Jamaal “JL” Jackson are missing a required disclaimer about who paid for them, according to a complaint obtained in a public records request. [Read more]

July 20: Scope of Blame Widens in Volosin Campaign's Use of Sample Ballots During Roanoke City Council Primary, Complaints Say

A campaign tactic tied to Peter Volosin, a Democratic nominee for Roanoke City Council, is the focus of 11 complaints to the state elections board — including one from a leader of the city’s own Democratic committee. [Read more]

June 22: Among The Contenders For Roanoke City Council: Three Openly Gay Men.

Most of Roanoke’s Democratic slate for City Council are openly gay men, results from Tuesday’s primary election determined. If the party sweeps the November general election, Roanoke would elect three gay candidates to City Council, which would be the most among any single Virginia locality, according to data from Victory Fund, an organization that seeks to elect openly LGBTQ people to office. [Read more]

June 22: Cobb, Sanchez-Jones and Volosin Picked As Roanoke's Democratic City Council Nominees — But Not Before A Rare Party Rebuke.

Incumbent Roanoke City Council members Joe Cobb and Vivian Sanchez-Jones, along with Peter Volosin, won a primary election Tuesday, according to preliminary results. That means the trio will make up the Democratic ticket for four-year City Council seats in the Nov. 8 general election. Newcomer Terry McGuire came fourth in the race. It’s been more than a decade since Roanoke Democrats have held an open primary for City Council races. [Read more]

Roanoke City Council Candidate Vivian Sanchez-Jones on Helping Small Businesses, Our Diversity, and Those Pesky Lime Scooters

Councilwoman Vivian Sanchez-Jones, 62, works as a student support specialist with Roanoke City Public Schools. In October 2020, she became the first Latina member of Roanoke City Council when members appointed her to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Djuna Osborne, who resigned for personal reasons. This is Sanchez-Jones's first run for elected office. She lives in the Wildwood neighborhood of Northeast Roanoke.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Peter Volosin on Tackling Poverty, Revitalizing Roanoke's Economy, and Reaching Our City's Potential

Peter Volosin, 36, works as a realtor with Lichtenstein Rowan Realtors. The Roanoke native ran for U.S. Congress in 2018 and Roanoke City Council in 2020. He lives in south Roanoke

Roanoke City Council Candidate Terry McGuire on Sustainability, Our Climate Future, and Voters' 'Anti-Incumbency Sentiments'

McGuire, 39, works remotely as a senior legislative representative at the Washington D.C. office of Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm. This is his first run for elected office. He lives in the Old Southwest neighborhood.

Roanoke City Council Candidate Joe Cobb on Reducing Gun Violence, Improving Public Transit, and Healing Our Community

Councilman Joe Cobb, 60, became vice mayor in 2018, when he was elected with the most votes, and became Roanoke's first openly gay member of Council. Cobb works as the chaplain at Hermitage Roanoke, a senior living community. He lives in the Old Southwest neighborhood.

June 15: Democrats hold debate ahead of City Council primary

Roanoke voters can tune in tomorrow to the first debate among Democratic candidates for City Council before Tuesday’s primary will whittle down the field. The forum at 8 p.m. Thursday will feature incumbent council members Joe Cobb and Vivian Sanchez-Jones and candidates Peter Volosin and Terry McGuire. [Read more]

June 8: Parties pick Luke Priddy, Peg McGuire for special election

Democrats and Republicans have backed familiar faces to compete in a special Roanoke City Council election for a two-year term. [Read more]

May 25: Roanoke Democrats squabble over special election

Democrats in Roanoke have settled on a nominating method to fill former councilman Robert Jeffry Jr.’s seat — but not before having a sometimes contentious debate. [Read more]

May 18: Early voting has slowed since start of primary ballot-casting

About 200 Roanokers have already cast ballots at in-person voting as of Tuesday for the June 21 primary, according to city registrar Andrew Cochran. [Read more]

May 10: For Brandon Avenue Residents, Possible Fralin Project Emerges As Key Issue in City Council Election

A proposed housing complex by one of Roanoke’s most powerful developers has become an unlikely campaign issue in the race for City Council. [Read more]

April 27: Parties choose how to pick candidates for special election

Democrats and Republicans in Roanoke have decided how to pick candidates for a special election this November to permanently replace former councilman Robert Jeffrey Jr. [Read more]

April 20: State nixes Roanoke Council candidate from running as Democrat

A candidate for Roanoke City Council certified by the local Democratic Party won’t end up appearing on the Democratic primary ballot after all. Bishop Jamaal “JL” Jackson said Tuesday that he intends to run in the Nov. 8 general election as an independent after the state board of elections rejected a last-minute plea. [Read more]

April 20: As Roanoke City Council Appoints Anita Price to Seat, Jockeying Begins for Special Election

Roanoke City Council welcomed back former councilwoman Anita Price on Monday to fill a nine-month vacancy left by Robert Jeffrey Jr., who was convicted last month on criminal charges. [Read more]

April 13: Political parties finalize candidates for Roanoke city council

Five Democrats and three Republicans are expected to compete for the regular election for Roanoke City Council this year. Democrats will hold a primary on June 21 to determine which three of its candidates will go on to compete in the Nov. 8 election. Because Republicans have three nominees for three Council seats up for election, the party will not have to narrow candidates down in a primary. [Read more]

March 16: Local pastor, former mayor enter Roanoke City Council race

A former Roanoke mayor and a local pastor have entered the race for Roanoke City Council, bringing the total to eight candidates so far for three open seats. [Read more]

Feb. 23: Rising Rates of Gun Violence Prompt Republicans To Enter Roanoke City Council Race

Two Republicans are seeking election to Roanoke City Council, citing the community’s gun violence problem as a main issue spurring their decisions to run. Dalton Baugess, a 51-year-old veteran of the Salem Fire Department, and Nick Hagen, a 33-year-old cannabis attorney, filed paperwork last week to form their candidate committees. [Read more]

Feb. 16: Roanoke Democrats to choose electoral method

Roanoke Democrats will determine Thursday how to elect its primary candidates in the city’s upcoming City Council elections. The choice is between an open primary, in which any registered voter in Roanoke can cast a ballot, and a caucus, which occurs in one place for a short period of time. [Read more]

Jan. 19: New candidate means contested race for Roanoke City Council

A fourth candidate has thrown his hat into the Roanoke’s City Council race, ensuring a contested primary in June. Terry McGuire, a 39-year-old environmental advocate and neighborhood organizer, said Tuesday that he is running for one of the three seats up for election. (Disclosure: The Rambler’s founder is a tenant of McGuire’s.) [Read more]

Dec. 15, 2021: Race for Roanoke City Council Already Underway As Retiring Incumbent Ensures A New Face

Politically minded Roanokers are preparing already to vie for next year’s City Council race, as Councilman Bill Bestpitch’s retirement ensures the election of at least one new face. [Read more]