Ward 18 Council Vacancy

At a glance

• What: After the Ward 18 councilmember resigned, Council filled the unexpired term on September 21, 2026. A separate bill by Solomon would change how vacancies are filled.
• Where it stands: Hudson was nominated by Ceperley, elected 24-0 and sworn in by the City Clerk. Bill 8095 (Charter Section 14 amendment) was referred to the Ordinance and Rules Committee.
• Next: Committee hearing on Bill 8095; no date in the records read.

Detail

• Mayor Goodwin announced on September 8 that Pam Burka had resigned as Ward 18 councilmember.
• Ceperley said Hudson has lived in Kanawha City for twenty years while raising two children, is a graduate of West Virginia State, has served on the Kanawha County Charleston Health Department, and has professional experience in healthcare and finance.
• Roll call September 21: 24 yeas, none opposed; Rubio and Snodgrass absent.
• Bill 8095 (introduced September 21 by Solomon) would amend Charter Section 14 to set a transparent and participatory procedure for Council's existing authority to fill vacancies, while preventing the temporary appointment process from giving an electoral advantage to a person simultaneously seeking election to the vacant seat.

Sources

• City Council journal, September 21, 2026: https://charlestonwv.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=9062,plainText=false)
• City Council journal, September 8, 2026: https://charlestonwv.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=9060,plainText=false)

Log

2026-09-21 - City Council

Hudson appointed 24-0 and sworn in. Bill 8095 introduced by Solomon and sent to Ordinance and Rules.

2026-09-08 - City Council

Mayor Goodwin reported the Ward 18 resignation.