2026 Kentucky General Election

Alex SIPPLE

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Buket Urgen

Alex Sipple founded Get Outside KY, an outdoor adventure company, and has operated it. He previously served as a tourism commissioner.

The race is on for City Council - The Edge

Berea Tourism Commission moves to create broader appeal for visitors – City of Berea, KY

As of October 6, 2026, Alex SIPPLE’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

The Big Hill Line could affect the watershed, the pinnacles’ view, endangered species, and tourism. The KRC sent a letter to the USDA rural development explaining that an environmental assessment must be completed. There is controversy and uncertainty about what is going on. A watershed study was done through bell engineering and revealed that the construction could have a negative impact on Owsley fork reservoir, but the report outlines plan for mitigation practices that would eliminate the negative impact by controlling. Alex motioned to get a second opinion through tourism, for an environmental study. Bill West asked about the cost for an environmental study. Alex Sipple withdrew the first motion and then motioned to look into the cost of an environmental study. Bill West Seconded. Passed Unanimously.

Berea Tourism Commission Minutes — Business Meeting — Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (PDF)

As a Tourism Commission member, moved to examine the cost of an environmental study for the Big Hill Line.

- As a Tourism Commission member, moved to examine the cost of an environmental study for the Big Hill Line.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Opposes Flock cameras, saying he is unwilling to trade citizens' liberty for a sense of security.

Public Safety

Education

Calls for more creative use of tourism tax revenue.

Economy

Allison "Ali" BLAIR

Allison "Ali" Blair is the founder of First Friday Berea and an organizer of other community-centered special events.

As of October 6, 2026, Allison "Ali" BLAIR’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ali is the founder and executive director of First Friday Berea, a community entertainment program. She also organizes other community-centered special events.

First Friday concert series promoter looking to expand--more concerts, smaller venues

The race is on for City Council

Plans to expand First Friday programming across Berea, with galleries, music, and events in more parts of town.

Wants to build partnerships to address food security and environmental sustainability beyond arts programming.

Said she envisions using additional funding to attract out-of-state tourism and hold concerts and art experiences in underused spaces.

Barry D. POYNTER

LinkedIn

As of October 6, 2026, Barry D. POYNTER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Brooke KING

Brooke King is president of the Silver Creek Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and is affiliated with Church on the Rock.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - Silver Creek Elementary

13 file for Berea City Council, 3 vie for mayor's seat

Wants local decisions to reflect residents' needs and include voices from every community.

As of October 6, 2026, Brooke KING’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports the proposed infrastructure bill to improve Berea roads and public transportation, emphasizing safety and accessibility.

Dan SIPPLE

As of October 6, 2026, Dan SIPPLE’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said expanding the number of Flock cameras from a few to 10 or 11 is “crazy,” though safety needs consideration.

Indicated possible support for repealing Berea’s restaurant tax, saying that local residents need financial relief.

John PAYNE

Katie STARTZMAN

Katie Startzman grew up in Pennsylvania and New York state and moved to Berea in 1995 to attend Berea College. She graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is married to Michael.

Katie Startzman owns Native Bagel Company in downtown Berea. She previously worked at an educational nonprofit supporting parent engagement in public schools and wrote “The Knitted Slipper Book.”

Katie currently serves as a Berea City Council member, a position she has held since 2020.

Who is running for City Council in Berea in 2024?

Plans to improve parks and recreational facilities.

Wants to ensure the city remains affordable for all residents.

As of October 6, 2026, Katie STARTZMAN’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for alternative school funding sources to avoid excessive tax increases while adequately funding schools.

Leah VAN WINKLE

Leah Van Winkle was raised in Florida and returned to Berea at age 22. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in global sustainability from the University of South Florida, and a doctorate in sacred natural medicine from PanAmerican University.

Leah Van Winkle | Brushy Fork Leadership Institute (Staff)

Leah works as a program coordinator for the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute. She has co-run Permaculture Action Network and project-managed Cob On Wood, a self-sufficiency hub for an unhoused community in West Oakland, California.

Care for existing public assets before adding new commitments.
Expand safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
Support walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Leah Van Winkle for Berea City Council

Expand safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
Support walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Identify existing resources before creating duplicative programs.
Build partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
Create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

Build partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
Create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

Prioritizes caring for existing public assets before adding new commitments.

Supports expanding safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.

Supports walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Prioritizes identifying existing resources before creating duplicative programs.

Supports partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.

Wants to create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

- Prioritizes caring for existing public assets before adding new commitments.
- Supports expanding safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
- Supports walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.
- Prioritizes identifying existing resources before creating duplicative programs.
- Supports partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
- Wants to create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

01
Housing and thoughtful growth

Berea needs more housing choices without losing the qualities that make our town feel like home. I support clear planning, responsible infrastructure investment, neighborhood input, and practical strategies that expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.

Make development and zoning decisions easier for residents to understand.

Make development and zoning decisions easier for residents to understand.
Plan growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.
Support a healthy mix of housing types and price points.

Plan growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.
Support a healthy mix of housing types and price points.

Supports planning, infrastructure investment, and resident input to expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.

Wants development and zoning decisions to be easier for residents to understand.

Supports a mix of housing types and price points.

- Supports planning, infrastructure investment, and resident input to expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.
- Wants development and zoning decisions to be easier for residents to understand.
- Supports a mix of housing types and price points.

Plans growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.

- Plans growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.

As of October 6, 2026, Leah VAN WINKLE’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Strengthen connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.
Support downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
Treat childcare, transportation, and housing as economic development issues.

Support downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
Treat childcare, transportation, and housing as economic development issues.

Supports strengthening connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.

Supports downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.

Treats childcare, transportation, and housing as economic-development issues.

- Supports strengthening connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.
- Supports downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
- Treats childcare, transportation, and housing as economic-development issues.

Mike BARNETT

Mike Barnett tapped by Council to fill empty seat - The Edge

As of October 6, 2026, Mike BARNETT’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Regina HUDSON

Regina Hudson is president of the Berea Farmer's Market and a crafter for Threads of Hope.

Welcome Hokuto City delegates, plus, why Richmond has no fine ...

As of October 6, 2026, Regina HUDSON’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ronnie TERRILL

Ronnie Terrill previously served on the Berea City Council for 17 years.

Terrill resigns from Berea City Council, Virgil Burnside to replace ...

As of October 6, 2026, Ronnie TERRILL’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Steve CAUDILL

Steve Caudill is involved in local community organizations.

Steve Caudill (Berea City Council At-large, Kentucky, candidate 2026)

Steve Caudill has experience as a chief auxiliary services officer at Eastern Kentucky University.

Steve has served on the Berea City Council for a decade.

Supports recreational developments that benefit both tourism and Berea residents.

As of October 6, 2026, Steve CAUDILL’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants Berea to grow so college students and families can remain in the city.

Teresa L. WREN

Teresa L. Wren works as a school bus driver for Madison County Schools.

Teresa previously ran for a seat on the Berea City Council, but did not win.

Plans to seek passage of a fairness ordinance, saying that Berea needs “fairness for all.”

As of October 6, 2026, Teresa L. WREN’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- City council members make up the legislative body of the city's government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- City councils in Kentucky typically have between 6 and 12 council members. They serve two-year terms except in Louisville and Lexington where some members serve four-year terms. 
- Council members can be elected to represent a single district or the city at-large. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Berea City Council Member

Candidates (13)
Choose 8

Berea City Council Member

Candidates (13).css-1e5j0e1{margin:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4;font-family:"HouschkaRoundedAlt";font-weight:400;color:#22034F;} Choose 8

Candidates (13)
Choose 8