Chantel Rhodes Will Challenge Terolyn Watson in Ward 3
Social worker Chantel Rhodes will face incumbent Terolyn Watson for the Fort Myers City Council seat this November.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in City Hall
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Chantel Rhodes, a community advocate and social worker, will challenge incumbent Terolyn Watson for the Ward 3 Fort Myers City Council seat in the November 2026 election. Watson has held this position since 2015 and previously defeated Rhodes in the 2022 general election.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine representation for Ward 3 residents, as the city council member influences local governance and city funding decisions for the estimated 101,581 residents of Fort Myers. Council members serve four-year terms and currently earn an annual salary of $47,030.
Incumbent Terolyn Watson won her 2022 general election bid with 56% of the vote. As of September 25, 2026, challenger Chantel Rhodes reported $5,600 in campaign contributions for her current run.
The players
Chantel Rhodes
She is a social worker and community advocate who previously ran for the Ward 3 council seat in 2022.
Terolyn Watson
She is the incumbent Fort Myers City Council member who has held the Ward 3 seat since 2015.
The details
The race marks a rematch between the two candidates following their 2022 contest. Council members must reside in the ward they represent, while the mayor is chosen by all registered voters in the city.
Timeline
Terolyn Watson began her term in office in 2015.
Chantel Rhodes ran for office and Watson won the election in 2022.
The city population was estimated at 101,581 as of July 2025.
Chantel Rhodes reported campaign contributions on September 25, 2026.
The city council election is scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
This election operates under the structural framework of the Fort Myers City Charter, which mandates that council members must reside within the specific wards they represent. Opponents of the current council structure often argue for changes to the ward-based system to increase citywide accountability.
The elected representative will help manage a budget supported by property taxes and determine municipal policies that directly affect local services. Residents of Ward 3 will decide which candidate's platform better addresses their needs for the next four-year term.
The takeaway
Voters will choose between an incumbent with over a decade of experience and a challenger emphasizing community advocacy. The result will set the legislative direction for Ward 3 through the end of the decade.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News-Press.
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