Please briefly describe your reasons for seeking this office.
I am running for Covington City Commission because the city can benefit from my personal and professional background and expertise. I have experience as a provost at Thomas More University, supervising tough budget expenditures and working with different kinds of people. I bring varied language and cultural knowledge to commission, to diversify and contribute new ideas. Covington has been a progressive city that now needs to take the next step to an inclusive future and vote for the first Hispanic woman commissioner, who, incidentally, is highly qualified for the position. I have an even and calm temperament, play nicely in the sandbox, and excel at creating and nurturing relationships. I was born in Puerto Rico but now live in Covington; this is my home, and I am dedicated to its well-being.

Covington City Commission: Meet candidate Cari McMurtry Garriga

Cari Mcmurtry Garriga was born in Puerto Rico.

Please briefly describe your reasons for seeking this office.
I am running for Covington City Commission because the city can benefit from my personal and professional background and expertise. I have experience as a provost at Thomas More University, supervising tough budget expenditures and working with different kinds of people. I bring varied language and cultural knowledge to commission, to diversify and contribute new ideas.

Cari Mcmurtry Garriga has experience as a provost at Thomas More University.

Cari has experience as a provost at Thomas More University.

CITY COMMISSIONERS City of Covington
Vote For 4
TOTAL Election
Day
Absentee
(Mail)
Early
Excused
(6Day)
Early No
Excuse
(3Day)
Provision
al
Tim ACRI 341 233 24 2 82 0
Aaron WOLPERT 416 294 23 1 98 0
Shannon C. SMITH 642 432 32 6 172 0
Bradie BOWEN 441 302 17 3 119 0
James TOEBBE 673 452 28 7 186 0
Bill WELLS 701 467 29 5 200 0
Tim DOWNING 738 473 35 6 224 0
Cari McMurtry GARRIGA 371 244 25 4 98 0
Write-In Totals 15 12 0 0 3 0
Not Assigned 15 12 0 0 3 0
Total Votes Cast 4,338 2,909 213 34 1,182 0

Kenton.pdf

Cari previously ran for Covington City Commission in 2024, but did not win.

2026 Kentucky General Election

The Central Business District is on fire (as pictured on the payroll tax and net profit tax revenue heat map) and Latonia is home to many new ventures. Anyone who reads the weekly city newsletter knows there is SO much going on in our city! As the city invests in infrastructure, it also needs to invest in human capital: workforce development programs to fill local job demands, offering entrepreneurship support, and work on attracting skilled workers at all levels.

Simultaneously, Covington can take steps towards cost reduction and efficiency by adopting appropriate technology, conducting performance audits and energy audits of city buildings; and implementing smart technologies to increase the efficacy of services.

Advocates for technology adoption, performance and energy audits, and smart technologies to reduce costs and improve city services.

- Advocates for technology adoption, performance and energy audits, and smart technologies to reduce costs and improve city services.

Public Services

Northern Kentucky has significant need for more housing. What can commission do to help the housing situation in Covington?
Affordable housing needs to include conditions that defend the dignity of the dweller and protect the city’s infrastructure. Affordable housing should be a priority in all of northern Kentucky; that is, Covington should not bear the burden for the bulk of the affordable housing. Workers deserve the option of living in the communities in which they work, and regional collaboration has many additional benefits.

To ensure a robust inventory of affordable housing, a multi-faceted approach is best. The city can investigate infill housing opportunities; not all has to be brand new development. The city can also weaponize the enforcement of code violations into foreclosures so that sleepy landlords are fined until the properties are brought online for residential use or taken and sold to those willing to refurbish them.

As the city develops land, it can leverage affordable housing as part of deals made with developers. In addition, there are developers who specialize in affordable housing options — consider using them. A creative way to utilize former commercial or industrial properties is also a way to increase the number of units of affordable housing, perhaps with micro-condos through adaptive re-use initiatives. Covington should also continue to cooperate with social agencies and continue to use grants and tax credit incentives for home redevelopment.

Supports regional collaboration so affordable housing is available across northern Kentucky rather than concentrated in Covington.

Proposes pursuing infill housing and enforcing codes to return vacant properties to residential use.

Proposes leveraging development agreements, specialized developers, and adaptive reuse of commercial or industrial sites to expand affordable housing.

Supports continued cooperation with social agencies and use of grants and tax-credit incentives for home redevelopment.

- Supports regional collaboration so affordable housing is available across northern Kentucky rather than concentrated in Covington.
- Proposes pursuing infill housing and enforcing codes to return vacant properties to residential use.
- Proposes leveraging development agreements, specialized developers, and adaptive reuse of commercial or industrial sites to expand affordable housing.
- Supports continued cooperation with social agencies and use of grants and tax-credit incentives for home redevelopment.

Housing & Urban Development

On the negative side, there is the fact that we will have to undergo the project and suffer through all the construction. And we will have to make sure that this process does not significantly affect our quality of life. Noise pollution, environmental pollution from increased traffic, and the increased traffic itself may be detrimental for our city, if the project is not handled properly with the interest of the residents of Covington at heart.

Advocates have been vocal about the need for better pedestrian and bicycle safety infrastructure in Covington. What is your stance on this issue?

I support creating a master plan for safer transportation initiatives. The experience with the Texas turnaround proves that traffic flow changes can improve safety. I am for shared-use paths, especially considering the opportunities presented by upcoming development. Covington needs to invest in bike and pedestrian infrastructure, because it is the right thing to do, but also to honor those who have lost their lives while biking or walking on our streets.

Recreation is important for health and well-being. But facilitating safe use of bikes as transportation is an equity issue. Data from 2020 say up to 29% of Covington and 48% of Newport residents do not have access to a car. For them, biking is their most accessible mode of transportation. Bikes are a viable alternative that help reduce noise and air pollution and are healthy for the one pedaling. We need to make sure it is safely done.

Calls for managing Brent Spence Bridge Corridor construction to limit noise, pollution, traffic, and other effects on residents’ quality of life.

Supports a transportation-safety master plan, shared-use paths, and investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

- Calls for managing Brent Spence Bridge Corridor construction to limit noise, pollution, traffic, and other effects on residents’ quality of life.
- Supports a transportation-safety master plan, shared-use paths, and investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 15, 2026, Cari Mcmurtry Garriga did not have a website or any information online.

Public Safety

The city has undertaken an ambitious development project on the site of the former IRS processing center. What role will commission play in maximizing this effort and helping finish the job?

We need to expedite construction of the medical school and the law school. These projects are already approved and will bring a lot of revenue for the city. As the rest of the development falls into place, the commission needs to be mindful and intentional in its decision making. The commission should work to make sure all of Covington’s residents benefits from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Covington’s neighborhoods and small businesses need to be showcased as part of the pitch for the development of the former IRS site.

Calls for expediting construction of the approved medical school and law school projects.

- Calls for expediting construction of the approved medical school and law school projects.

Education

Covington faced a budget shortfall this year. What can the next city commission do to assure a balanced budget and reliable basic public services in the coming years?
My campaign stands for fiscal responsibility. Just like any family needs to stay within budget, so does the city. It should be Covington’s priority to work through the shortfall. Unfortunately, the choices are few: to trim, and to diversify sources of revenue. Covington may be able to look to grants or foundations to balance some of the shortfall, but hard decisions may need to be made.

As a former higher education administrator, I have experience surgically and carefully examining budgets to realize cost savings. The present time brings interesting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for north Covington: The Central Riverfront Development, the 4th Street bridge, the Brent Spence project, among others. These will support small businesses throughout the entire city. My point is that we must make decisions that safeguard Covington’s economic future. Any future tax abatements and incentives to economic development should be carefully vetted to guard the city’s financial interests. It is imperative to balance economic development with contextual decisions for a high quality of life for all residents.

The Central Business District is on fire (as pictured on the payroll tax and net profit tax revenue heat map) and Latonia is home to many new ventures. Anyone who reads the weekly city newsletter knows there is SO much going on in our city! As the city invests in infrastructure, it also needs to invest in human capital: workforce development programs to fill local job demands, offering entrepreneurship support, and work on attracting skilled workers at all levels.

Advocates for balancing the city budget through spending reductions and diversified revenue sources.

Calls for carefully vetting tax breaks and economic-development incentives to protect the city’s financial interests.

Advocates for workforce-development programs, entrepreneurship support, and attracting skilled workers to meet local job demand.

- Advocates for balancing the city budget through spending reductions and diversified revenue sources.
- Calls for carefully vetting tax breaks and economic-development incentives to protect the city’s financial interests.
- Advocates for workforce-development programs, entrepreneurship support, and attracting skilled workers to meet local job demand.

Economy

LinkedIn

Cari Mcmurtry Garriga

As of September 15, 2026, Cari Mcmurtry Garriga’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Bill Wells

Dan Francis

Jay Fossett

Steve Hayden

Tim Acri

Tim Downing

- 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.