Election 2026 | Question of the Week 13, District 1 | What city or council policy would you add, change or delete?
Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question. In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response.
Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan races. Council members qualify in their respective districts but are elected at-large. This means all registered city voters may cast a ballot in each race regardless of where they live and the party to which they are affiliated, if any. This year’s General Election, on Nov. 3, features four Cape Coral City Council races: Mayor and the seats for District 1, 4 and 6.
The candidates below are running for the District 1 Cape Coral City Council seat:
Question of the Week: What city or council policy would you add, change or delete?
• David Newton
I would add a taxpayer accountability and fiscal impact policy. Requiring a written fiscal-impact analysis before Council approves major expenditures, contracts, budget increases, or recurring costs. Taxpayers deserve to know the full cost, why spending is necessary, and what measurable benefit they will receive.
I would support regular reviews of city programs to identify waste, duplication, and unnecessary spending. Council should have complete financial information before voting and ask the tough questions. Cape Coral taxpayers work hard for their money, and City Hall must justify every expense and remain accountable for every taxpayer dollar.
• Tom Shadrach
Bring back or create volunteer committees for Budget Oversight, Utility Oversight, Safety Oversight and Cape Competes. Strengthen our financial policies that are creating surpluses that cause over taxation. Soften our Council Rules to foster a more unity-based relationship with citizen input. Reduce permit requirements and codes that are causing too much control and burden of citizen’s rights.
I would create more requirements for city staff to provide monthly financial and schedule performance for all projects and departments goals. Compete more services rather than simply using single source approved vendor lists.