![\"Candidate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1f7c1d04-4bcd-48ed-83be-937506d35d08.jpeg\" "\\"Candidate")
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Candidate Chantel Rhodes is running for election in Fort Myers City Council Ward 3.<\/p>\n
Provided by Chantel Rhodes.<\/p>\n
USA TODAY Network, Reuters<\/p>\n
The only Fort Myers City Council race this year matches two Fort Myers natives against each other for the second time: Chantel Rhodes, a social worker and community advocate is challenging incumbent Terolyn Watson, who has been in office since a 2015 special election.<\/p>\n
Rhodes also ran in 2022, when the race went to a runoff after a close primary. Watson won the following November with 56% of the vote.<\/p>\n
The Fort Myers City Council is made up of six members representing their respective wards and a mayor elected by all registered voters who answers to them all. The mayor must live in the city; council members must live in the ward they represent. Terms for all offices are four years and there are no term limits. Council members earn $47,030 a year. The 141-year-old city has an estimated 101,581 people as of July 2025, according to the U.S. Census.<\/p>\n
Where is Fort Myers’ Ward 3?<\/p>\n
Historically majority minority Ward 3’s northern boundary is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; its southern boundary is Colonial Boulevard; it extends almost to Cleveland Avenue to the east and a bit past Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard to the west. <\/p>\n
As of Sept. 25, Rhodes reports $5,600 in campaign contributions.<\/p>\n
Here are Rhodes’ answers to our candidate questionnaire, which have been edited for length and clarity:<\/p>\n
Tell me about your family, growing up and early life. What have you done professionally? What has equipped you for this job?<\/p>\n
Chantel Rhodes was born and raised in Fort Myers. She grew up in a family that emphasized public service and Christian values. Chantel has a master’s in social work from Georgia State University and has worked with children and families for 20 years. Chantel earned her undergraduate degree in criminology from the University of South Florida and has traveled to 40 countries engaging in humanitarian work and tourism. Chantel lived in Shanghai, China for two years as an English teacher. These experiences molded Chantel into a well-versed communicator, representative and advocate.<\/p>\n
What can the city not ignore? What new initiatives would you tackle?<\/p>\n
The city cannot ignore the lack of social, political and economic engagement primarily from the minority community. Ward 3 in particular suffers from a lack of information which contributes to low involvement and apathy. I ran in 2022 and approximately 2,000 people showed up to the general election, splitting the vote between myself and the incumbent. This shocking reality caused me to focus on acquiring information and sharing it with community members, especially the youth. I plan to be a master translator \u2013 hearing the people and translating that to government, while also hearing the government and translating that back to the people. <\/p>\n
We see lots of plans and proposals for city projects, but little forward motion. What would you do?<\/p>\n
I’d learn about barriers creating these circumstances, collaborate with colleagues and vote according to the best interest of the city. For example, the community has a lot of misinformation about McCollum Hall. I would create opportunities for the community to learn about these issues using social media, holding public forums etc. This will enhance public input and understanding. I would continue to bring awareness and challenge companies. I’d use my skills in negotiation, debate and collaboration to work with my colleagues to determine the best bidder and proceed in that direction. <\/p>\n
Ideas to increase affordable housing? Where do you stand on tiny homes, additional dwelling units and the like?<\/p>\n
I support tiny houses and the measures the city is currently taking working with Director Steve Belden to provide long term housing for residents. I believe a major part of the discussion includes having the right information to make the right decisions. Towles Garden, for example, was a wonderful opportunity to alleviate the strain of access to affordable housing. Somehow, the project fell through although the contractor, McFarland ended up walking away with a significant down payment and not delivering on his promise. I’d continue to learn and engage in discussions that could tackle this massive buzzword known as “affordable housing.”<\/p>\n
With Tallahassee ever more heavy-handed, how would you reassert home rule to make sure the city has a voice?<\/p>\n
This is a major one for me! Because of mandates from Tallahassee, the minority business initiative was cancelled affecting local businesses. Lawmakers are afraid to challenge the governor due to fear of being removed from their positions. It creates fear, stifling the people closest to the issues. I would continue to support home rule and bring awareness to government overreach by explaining the dangers to citizens and rallying support. I am encouraged by the power of awareness and protest, and running for office is another way for me to empower people to take charge and do what they can to enhance their community.<\/p>\n
Growth: What’s one project or growth sector you would encourage? What type of growth or project would you say no to?<\/p>\n
It’s difficult for me to say with absolute certainty the type of growth that I’d oppose because I would rely on community input and research on how that growth would impact the community. I am leaning toward opposing the “growth” of data centers due to their impact on the environment and the potential cost to residents. I believe funds could be used to grow community programs such as Meals on Wheels, services to the elderly and services for youth. I am in favor of enhancing recreational access and support entities such as the STARS complex and the Quality Life Center.<\/p>\n
Crime and public safety: What does the city need to do better?<\/p>\n
I firmly support the FMPD and would continue to do so. I do believe that massive projects such as the multi-million dollar new police headquarters can be re-evaluated and that money invested into social services instead. While I am not in favor of spending that amount of money for new headquarters, I would rely on buy-in from community members as well as law enforcement. Beautification also leads to crime reduction as criminals are attracted to run-down neighborhoods. Public safety and beautification go hand in hand. If we invest more into beautification, that helps lead to a reduction in crime.<\/p>\n
Your views on historic preservation?<\/p>\n
I support historic preservation to the point of upholding monuments and institutions that tell a story of survival and not oppression. I played a pivotal role in having the Robert E. Lee bust removed and placed in a museum, with all due respect to the heritage of those individuals. Myself and other advocates reminded the city that one man’s history represents another man’s oppression. We have to be mindful that all parts of history are worth celebrating. I would like to see McCollum Hall become a signature landmark for Dunbar as it once was. I support initiatives to revamp the MLK corridor and landmarks such as Clemente Park.<\/p>\n
If property tax cuts are passed, how will the city do what it needs to do?<\/p>\n
The city could reduce spending, seek funds from the state to reimburse lost revenue and focus on economic growth. With all the development happening in and around the city, we are sure to see an increase in sales and further development. It will be an adjustment since property taxes make up almost 50% of the city’s general funds, but property tax cuts are not impossible to manage. We would cut certain spending and be forced to create other revenue streams. I would focus on helping residents understand the tradeoff and ramifications of the millions of dollars that would be lost.<\/p>\n
How can traffic be improved, especially in the south part of the city?<\/p>\n
Traffic can be improved by completing outstanding road projects and focusing on making other means of transportation attractive and user friendly. SWFL is hot, which discourages people from walking or using e-bikes; however, we have a pedestrian advisory board we can work with for those who may be interested in these options. We can improve sidewalk safety. Public transportation can be an option to help the environment and improve traffic if it becomes attractive and necessary enough. The city can invest in synchronizing traffic signals but due to the cost, this project would require further discussion to ensure fiscal responsibility.<\/p>\n
Amy Bennett Williams is a senior reporter. Reach her at awilliams@news-press.com.<\/p>\n
Follow The News-Press & Naples Daily News throughout the Election 2026 campaign season, including Q&As with candidates running in key Southwest Florida races coming soon.<\/p>\n
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing toThe News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here. <\/p>\n
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Meet Chantel Rhodes, who’s running for Fort Myers City Council Ward 3<\/p>\n
Reporting by Amy Bennett Williams, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News \/ Fort Myers News-Press<\/p>\n
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n
This story was originally published October 6, 2026 at 9:50 AM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Candidate Chantel Rhodes is running for election in Fort Myers City Council Ward 3. Provided by Chantel Rhodes.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":420786,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-420785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=420785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420785\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/420786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=420785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=420785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=420785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}