Every election cycle, Moore County voters are asked to make decisions about the people who will govern their daily lives — their roads, their taxes, their public safety, their schools. Too often, those decisions get made with too little information.

The Lynchburg Times is committed to changing that. This election season, we submitted an identical set of questions to every candidate seeking office in the August 2026 General Election. The questions were designed to go beyond biography — to surface values, priorities, and the kind of thinking voters deserve to see before they mark a ballot. We asked about community connection, relevant experience, the single issue each candidate considers most urgent, where they might diverge from conventional wisdom, how they’d navigate a budget crisis, and how they plan to serve constituents who didn’t choose them.

The answers are published exactly as submitted, without editing or rewriting. What you read is what the candidate gave us. We’ll let you take it from there.

{Editor’s Note: The Lynchburg Times does not endorse candidates.}

The Times: Tell us about yourself and your connection to this community. How long have you lived here, and what has your involvement in local civic life looked like? In brief, how might voters know you?

Benson: My name is Christopher Benson, though most people know me as Chris. I’m asking for your vote to serve as your Metro Council representative for District 3. My family moved here in 1987, and my mom grew up in Bakertown, so this community has always been home to me.

I own an at-home business creating floral arrangements, which I later moved to the town square from 2017 to 2019. During that time, I worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and helped organize events aimed at bringing more visitors and business to the square.

In 2017, I started Lynchburg’s first community Halloween event, with help from other businesses on the square, including a costume contest made possible through local donations. That event was later adopted by the Chamber and has grown into an annual tradition that many in our community look forward to each year.

The Times: What specific experience — professional, civic, or personal — has prepared you to serve in this role?

Benson: I attended Tennessee College of Applied Technology in 2011, where I studied administrative assistance with an emphasis in accounting. As a business owner, I’ve developed a strong understanding of the importance of transparency and accountability, and how essential they are to ensuring departments operate efficiently and responsibly. I currently operate a small trucking company, where I manage compliance with both state and federal regulations, as well as safety standards.

The Times: In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing our community right now, and what concrete steps would you take to address it in your first year in office?

Benson: I believe the most important issues facing our county are accountability and transparency. With 15 members on the council, it’s critical that questions are asked, discussions take place, and the voices of our constituents are truly heard before decisions are made.

I am committed to being accessible and engaged. Whether by phone, messaging, or in person, I will make myself available to listen to the concerns of our residents and hear their thoughts on the issues that impact our community.

The Times: Is there an issue where your position differs from what many in your party or your predecessor might support? If so, what is it and why do you hold that view?

Benson: I believe our local government should operate with greater transparency and openness. Citizens deserve the opportunity to ask questions, voice their concerns, and clearly understand the decisions being made on their behalf. The council should take the time to explain the items they are voting on and how those decisions impact the county.

I also believe our county website needs to be updated and improved. It should include clear and accessible information such as meeting dates and times, agendas, locations, and published meeting minutes so residents can stay informed.

In addition, I support giving citizens the opportunity to address the council in a respectful and orderly manner at the beginning of meetings, ensuring their voices are heard and considered.

The Times: Local government budgets involve real tradeoffs. If you had to choose between cutting services or raising revenue to close a budget shortfall, how would you approach that decision?

Benson: No one wants to cut essential services or raise property taxes, and I believe there are better ways to ensure our county has what it needs to operate effectively. One option I would support is proposing a small increase in the sales tax to 9.75%. A quarter-percent increase would have minimal impact on local residents shopping in town, while allowing the county to benefit more from tourism.

This proposal could have passed previously, but the public was not fully informed about how it would benefit the county. Moving forward, we must do a better job of clearly communicating the impact of these decisions so citizens can make informed choices.
At the same time, we should be open to reviewing and adjusting certain services where needed to better manage our budget. That’s simply part of responsible governance. I also believe our budget committee could benefit from exploring new approaches to building and managing the county budget to ensure we are using taxpayer dollars as effectively as possible.

The Times: How do you plan to stay accessible and accountable to constituents who didn’t vote for you?

Benson: I will be accessible to my constituents — and to every resident in the county — who wants to share their concerns, regardless of who they voted for. I’ll be available by phone, text, and through a Facebook page I started — Christopher Benson for Metro Council District 3 — to ensure everyone has a voice and can be heard.

The Times: What do you want voters who don’t yet know you to understand about why you are running?

Benson: I’ve lived here most of my life, and the Lynchburg we have today is not the same Lynchburg I grew up calling home. Like many others, I’m concerned about the scale of recent projects that have changed the appearance of our county.

While I strongly believe in preserving the small, quiet nature of our community, I also recognize the need for thoughtful, responsible growth. I would support bringing in local businesses that benefit our residents and help keep more tax dollars within the county, without compromising what makes Lynchburg special.

Another area that needs improvement is transparency and communication with the public. There are many committee meetings held throughout the month, but attendance is low largely because people simply aren’t aware of them. While notices are posted at the courthouse and county buildings, that alone isn’t enough in today’s world. Many people get most, if not all, of their local news online and from social media. We need to do a better job of making information accessible — whether through online postings, social media, or other outreach efforts — so citizens can stay informed and engaged in local decisions that affect them.

Early voting will begin Friday, July 17, and extend through Saturday, Aug. 1. Absentee ballots must be requested by Monday, July 27. The Moore County General Election will take place Thursday, Aug. 6. •

About The Lynchburg Times: The Lynchburg Times covers Moore County elections as part of its commitment to community accountability journalism. This work is supported by readers, small business partners, and corporate underwriters.