Two Roanoke City Council members vacate seats, prompt special election

Two council members are stepping away from Roanoke City Council, and a special election will be called by the city this May to fill their seats.

What’s happening?

Bryan Moyers stepped down from Roanoke City Council at the Jan. 27 meeting as council member of Ward 1, according to city documents.

Moyers is moving out of Roanoke, making him ineligible to serve on the council, Public Engagement Manager Sandra Pettigrew said.

“I'm very proud to have served alongside [city council members and staff] and done a lot of great things for the city of Roanoke,” Moyers said. “I wish you all the best. Roanoke will always be in my heart. I will always wish the best for this city and everybody that is involved in it.”

Mayor Scooter Gierisch said Moyers will continue to operate his business, Roanoke Weaponry, and thanked him for his service.

“We appreciate your service to our city and to the council, and we're truly grateful for you, and you've had great communication skills throughout your tenure on the council,” he said. “You've always interacted with [the] citizens that you serve ... and we're grateful for that.”

Hogan Page will also be stepping down as council member of Ward 1 at a later date, and his spot will be filled during the May special election. Page will be moving away from Roanoke, making him ineligible to serve on the council, Pettigrew said. No date was given for when his final council meeting will be.

Zooming out

Council members Holly Gray, Brian Darby and David Brundage have terms that expire this year and a general election will be held this May to vote on their spots. According to the city’s charter, there is no limit to how many terms a council member can serve.

The last day to file for a spot on the general election or special election ballot is Feb. 13, according to city documents.

Roanoke is a home-ruled city with the city divided into three wards with two council members serving each ward, according to the city charter. Only residents living in that ward may vote on the elected official for that area.

The mayor is voted at-large, meaning all residents in the city can vote and the elected official serves the whole city. Mayor Scooter Geirisch’s term ends May 2027, meaning he will not be on the May election ballot.

Looking ahead

The special election to fill Moyers' and Page’s spots will be held May 2 with those term ending in May 2027, according to city documents.

The general election to elect one city council member per ward for three year terms will also take place May 2.