Why I’m Running
Hello, I'm Chad Carter, and I’m running for Portsmouth City Council because I believe our city deserves leadership that listens, plans, and delivers.
Over the past year, our City Council has wrestled with critical issues—from adopting the FY 2026 budget to infrastructure, transportation equity, and preserving Portsmouth’s character.
I am running to:
-
Ensure fiscal responsibility — deliver essential services without overburdening taxpayers. I’ll bring transparency to every dollar in the city budget.
-
Modernize our infrastructure and mobility — support a downtown loop shuttle, multimodal transportation options, and equitable transit access across neighborhoods.
-
Preserve local character while promoting growth — protect historic districts, balance development with community needs, and promote walkable, human-scale neighborhoods.
-
Engage citizens meaningfully — I’ll make sure meetings aren’t just for show. I’ll push for public participation, clear meeting minutes, and accountability on commitments.
-
Plan for the future — from climate resilience to smart development, I’ll champion long-term thinking rather than short-term fixes.
If you want a councilor who shows up, listens, plans, and delivers — who holds the administration accountable — I hope to earn your vote. Let’s build a Portsmouth that works for all of us.