Who’s running for City Council, School Board in South Portland
Read all of our coverage of Maine's 2026 election or stay up to date with the latest developments through the Maine Political Report in your inbox or text messages from politics editor Kirby Wilson.
South Portland residents will be voting for new city councilors and school board members as well as weighing in on big elections like governor and Senate.
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See what's on the ballot with our Maine Voter Guide
Residents may vote absentee in person at the city clerk’s office in city hall during regular business hours (7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Oct. 29 is the last day to vote absentee at city hall, or request or pick up your absentee ballot.
CITY COUNCIL
District 1
Carter Scott is unopposed in her re-election for her seat in the city that’s been her home for 20 years. She recognizes that the city is growing, and she values sustainability, both environmental and economic. In addition to serving on the council, she’s also served on the South Portland Land Trust board and elementary school PTA.
District 2
Ellen Clancy is unopposed, and it’s her first time running for office. She’s campaigning on minimizing tax increases, making the budget as efficient as possible and finding new sources of revenue, with the goal of keeping South Portland affordable.
District 5
Elyse Tipton, the current mayor, is up for reelection, and is campaigning on keeping South Portland affordable, expanding city services and protecting public health and safety.
Prior to serving on the council beginning in 2023, she served four terms on the school board, and she wants to strengthen the partnership between the school department and the city.
John Holman III, a production supervisor who has lived in the city for more than a decade, is running for office for the first time because he wants the city to pursue more affordable housing, revenue generation and youth outreach.
He views affordability as a major problem in the city, and he’s also interested in changing the city’s prohibition on selling flavored tobacco products.
SCHOOL BOARD
At- Large
South Portland residents can vote for two at-large school board members.
Eleni Richardson, an incumbent elected last November, is running for reelection. She thinks the board’s agenda should focus on financial stability, equitable elementary school reconfiguration and evaluating technology in the classroom.
Wheeler Boyd-Boffa is a data and analytics consultant and the parent of two elementary school students, and it’s his first time running for office. His priorities are to stabilize the budget, prioritize educational equity and staff morale and to create clear rules for technology use in the classroom.
Stephanie Edwards is a special education teacher in the district and a South Portland parent, and her three priorities are promoting fiscal responsibility, supporting educators, staff and students and transparently communicating board decisions and processes.
Ishmeel Davis is also running for an at-large seat.
District Five
Carlton “Carl” Parsons, a renter, parent and community organizer, is running for school board and wants to prioritize support for working class families and children, elevate marginalized groups in the city and create long-term financial stability.
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Tagged: election 2026
Dana Richie is a community reporter covering South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. Originally from Atlanta, she fell in love with the landscape and quirks of coastal New England while completing her undergraduate. More by Dana Richie
