Taylor, Cummings to Compete for District 8 Seat

The Virginia Beach City Council race will reach its conclusion on November 3, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal building facade, rendered with broadsheet gravitas for a local politics news report. — Candidates Chris Taylor and Stacy Cummings are competing for the District 8 seat on the Virginia Beach City Council, with the election concluding November 3, 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local district council representative prioritize government transparency over working within established administrative channels?

Candidates Chris Taylor and Stacy Cummings are facing off for the District 8 seat on the Virginia Beach City Council on November 3, 2026. The district, which contains approximately 45,000 residents, will choose between the two contenders for the local seat.

Why it matters

Taylor is campaigning on a platform of government transparency, while Cummings is focusing on efforts to reduce government spending and provide tax breaks. These competing visions offer voters different approaches to the city's future fiscal policy.

Stacy Cummings reported $113,701 in campaign cash on hand as of September 30, 2026, compared to $7,484 reported by Chris Taylor. The district serves a population of approximately 45,000 residents.

The players

Chris Taylor

He is a smoothie shop owner and former council member who previously placed fourth in the 2024 Virginia Beach mayoral election.

Stacy Cummings

She is a retired car dealership owner who currently holds the District 8 seat following a 2024 special election victory.

Dragas Cos.

This company entered into a 2024 nondisclosure agreement with the city regarding the sale of the Virginia Beach National Golf Club.

The details

Cummings, a 68-year-old retired car dealership owner, previously served as a liaison to a process improvement committee tasked with trimming the city budget. Taylor, 42, is a smoothie shop owner currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration at Regent University who served on the council from 2023 to 2024.

Chris Taylor served as a council member from 2023 to 2024.
Stacy Cummings won a special election for the District 8 seat in 2024.
Campaign finance reports were finalized on September 30, 2026.
The District 8 election takes place on November 3, 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the incumbent often point to previous city transparency issues, such as the 2024 nondisclosure agreement with Dragas Cos., as a rationale for change. Supporters of current leadership argue that established fiscal management remains the most reliable path for the city.

Residents in District 8 will see direct impacts on local fiscal policy depending on the election outcome, including potential changes to tax structures and city spending levels. Voters should review their registration status before the November 3, 2026, election.

The takeaway

Voters should evaluate whether they prioritize the platform of transparency or a continuation of current spending reduction efforts. Assessing the candidates' past performance and stated goals can help residents make an informed decision for the future of District 8.