Bristol, Va. City Council Appoints New Member

After a lengthy closed-door session, the council selected Alex Littleton to fill the vacant seat.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Bristol, Virginia City Council has appointed a new member after a nearly four-hour closed session. They voted 3-1 to select Alex Littleton, choosing her from a pool of three finalists that also included Jackie Nophlin and Rebecca Reeves. Vice Mayor Neal Osborne was the only opposing vote.

Why it matters

The appointment of a new city council member is an important decision that can impact the direction and policies of the local government. Bristol, Virginia has faced a number of challenges in recent years and the new council member will play a role in addressing those issues and shaping the city's future.

The details

During the closed session, the council members individually interviewed the three candidates and then discussed their opinions. Mayor Jake Holmes cited Littleton's "willingness to learn, jump in, the research she does" as well as her "experience working in communities and schools, serving kids in need" as reasons for selecting her. Littleton, who has three young children, said "family is always going to be a priority" for her and that she wants Bristol to be a place where people want to raise their families.

  • The city council held a nearly four-hour closed session on February 25, 2026 to interview and discuss the candidates.

The players

Alex Littleton

The new city council member selected by the Bristol, Virginia City Council. Littleton is a mother of three young children and her grandfather previously served on the city council and as mayor in the 1970s.

Jake Holmes

The mayor of Bristol, Virginia who cited Littleton's experience and qualifications as reasons for selecting her to fill the vacant city council seat.

Neal Osborne

The vice mayor of Bristol, Virginia who was the only council member to vote against appointing Littleton to the city council.

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What they’re saying

“Her willingness to learn, jump in, the research she does. Her experience working in communities and schools, serving kids in need in our community across the region. The connections made there are the impact she does.”

— Jake Holmes, Mayor (WCYB)

“I'm a mom to three young kids, and I think family is always going to be a priority for me and especially for Bristol to be a place where people want to come and raise their families.”

— Alex Littleton (WCYB)

What’s next

The new city council member, Alex Littleton, will be sworn in at the next scheduled city council meeting on March 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The appointment of a new city council member in Bristol, Virginia is an important decision that will impact the city's leadership and direction. The selection of Alex Littleton, a mother of three with community experience, signals a focus on family-friendly policies and initiatives to make Bristol an attractive place to live and raise a family.