Lakeland voters will have a contested choice for mayor this November, as Commissioner Connie McCarter challenges incumbent Mayor Josh Roman in the city’s 2026 municipal election. The race brings together two current members of Lakeland’s municipal leadership who have served during the same period but are presenting voters with different messages about the city’s direction.
The November election marks a change from four years ago. In 2022, Roman was the only named candidate on the ballot for mayor, while McCarter was one of two candidates for two available commissioner positions. Official Shelby County Election Commission results show Roman received 3,434 votes in the mayoral contest, while McCarter received 3,121 votes for commissioner.[1]
This year, the two will face one another for mayor. The Daily Memphian reported in August that McCarter had entered the race against Roman and noted that the contest is Lakeland’s first contested mayoral election since 2018.[2]
Connie McCarter’s Background in Lakeland
McCarter was sworn in to the Lakeland Board of Commissioners on December 1, 2022. According to her official City of Lakeland biography, she has been a Lakeland resident for 35 years and currently lives in Stonebridge with her husband, Jim. Her municipal experience extends beyond her current commission seat. McCarter previously served on the Lakeland Board of Appeals/Stormwater Board of Appeals and the Lakeland Comprehensive Development Plan Advisory Committee. She has also served as a liaison for the PULSE Comprehensive Plan Board, which is involved in the city’s ongoing planning efforts.
In December 2025, McCarter was appointed by the Board of Commissioners to serve as a liaison between the commission and the Lakeland Board of Education. She is also a member of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce and Lakeland Lions Club. Outside municipal government, McCarter has an extensive background in nursing and healthcare education. She completed her registered nurse training at St. Joseph Hospital, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Union University, and earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Memphis. Her city biography states that she has practiced as a registered nurse in numerous roles during a 47-year career, including work in clinical education with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.[3]
In announcing her campaign for mayor, McCarter has emphasized fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability. On her campaign social media, she has described herself as a conservative voice for taxpayers and said she is seeking the mayor’s office to continue providing what she characterizes as fiscally responsible and accountable service to Lakeland residents.[4] Those statements represent McCarter’s description of her candidacy and priorities rather than an official position of the City of Lakeland.
Josh Roman Seeks Reelection
Roman has served as Lakeland’s mayor since December 1, 2022. Before becoming mayor, he served as vice mayor. He also currently serves on Lakeland’s Industrial Development Board. According to his official city biography, Roman and his family have lived in Lakeland since 2001. He and his wife, Ursula, have two daughters, Baylor and Mallory. Outside municipal government, Roman owns Roman Insurance.[5]
Roman is seeking reelection after approximately four years leading the city. In announcing his campaign, he has emphasized continuing the direction of his current administration. Among the issues Roman has highlighted are public safety, city revenues and support for Lakeland’s schools. In his reelection announcement, he said he intends to continue focusing on reducing crime, growing city revenues organically and supporting local schools.
Roman has also pointed to development policy as part of his record. In discussing the Ashmont development, he said he initially opposed earlier versions of the project because of plans that included dense apartments. Roman said the development later changed and that, after becoming mayor, he worked to establish a tax increment financing district associated with the project. Roman has presented the example as part of a broader argument for maintaining the city’s recent direction. As with McCarter’s campaign statements, these descriptions of accomplishments and priorities represent Roman’s campaign messaging and should be distinguished from independently documented city records.[6]
Two Candidates With Experience on the Same Board
One of the distinguishing features of the 2026 mayoral election is that voters are choosing between two candidates who already serve together in Lakeland government.
The current Board of Commissioners consists of Roman as mayor, Michele Dial as vice mayor, and Jim Atkinson, Derek Johnston, and McCarter as commissioners. The board generally meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at Lakeland City Hall, with agendas made available ahead of meetings.[7]
That shared experience gives residents an opportunity to examine more than campaign platforms. Because both candidates have participated in city government, voters can review Board of Commissioners meetings, agendas, minutes, and other public documents to better understand how each has approached municipal issues.
The candidates have not always taken the same positions. The Daily Memphian described the race as presenting voters with a contrast in governing styles, reporting that Roman is campaigning on continuing the city’s current direction while McCarter has at times taken positions that differ from the majority of the Board of Commissioners.
Those differences could become an important part of the campaign as the candidates discuss Lakeland’s finances, development, schools, infrastructure and long-term planning.
A Different Race From 2022
The 2026 election gives Lakeland voters a mayoral contest that looks considerably different from the one held four years earlier. The official November 2022 ballot listed Roman as the sole named candidate for mayor, with a write-in option available. McCarter appeared in the separate commissioner election alongside Michele Dial, with voters able to select two candidates.[8]
Both ultimately took office on December 1, 2022, placing them on the same Board of Commissioners for the current municipal term. Now, instead of running for separate offices, they are competing for the same position. The race also means residents will be able to compare two candidates with direct experience in Lakeland government rather than weighing the record of an incumbent against someone who has not previously served on the board.
What Voters Can Watch as November Approaches
As the election approaches, the mayoral campaign is likely to provide additional details about how each candidate would approach Lakeland’s next four years. For residents looking to compare Roman and McCarter, several types of information can provide useful context. Candidate websites and social media pages can show how each person defines priorities and describes a vision for Lakeland. City records can provide another perspective by documenting votes, meetings, budgets, development decisions, and other government activity.
Residents can also follow Board of Commissioners meetings, where both candidates continue to serve in their existing roles while campaigning for mayor. Maintaining a distinction between campaign statements and official government records can be particularly useful during an election. Candidates naturally use campaign materials to highlight accomplishments, priorities, and concerns they believe are important. Public records allow voters to examine those claims alongside the documented actions of city government.
For Lakeland, the November election will determine whether Roman continues for another term as mayor or McCarter moves from her current commissioner seat into the mayor’s office. Regardless of the outcome, the race represents a notable shift from the uncontested mayoral election Lakeland voters encountered in 2022. This time, residents will choose between two sitting members of city leadership, each presenting a different case for how Lakeland should move forward.
[1] Shelby County Election Commission, November 8, 2022 Election Report — Lakeland Municipal Election.
[2] The Daily Memphian, “Growing field of Lakeland candidates offer voters differing styles, viewpoints,” August 17, 2026. https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/article/65610
[3] City of Lakeland, “Connie McCarter — Commissioner,” Staff Directory. https://www.lakelandtn.gov/m/directory/employee?eid=110
[4] Connie McCarter, campaign Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Commissioner.McCarter/
[5] City of Lakeland, “Josh Roman — Mayor,” Staff Directory. https://www.lakelandtn.gov/m/directory/employee?eid=108
[6] Josh Roman, mayoral Facebook page and reelection campaign communications. https://www.facebook.com/LakelandJosh/
[7] City of Lakeland, “Elected Officials,” including current Board of Commissioners membership and meeting information. https://www.lakelandtn.gov/500/Elected-Officials
[8] Shelby County Election Commission, November 8, 2022 Final Sample Ballot.
