2026 Kentucky General Election

Ben was appointed to Edgewood City Council in October 2013. A lifelong resident of Edgewood and member of St. Pius X Church, Ben attended R.C. Hinsdale, St. Pius X School and Covington Catholic High School before earning his architecture degree from the University of Kentucky. He is a licensed Architect and has worked for GBBN Architects since 1994. He and his wife, Carrie, have 4 children, Ellen, Caroline, Jenna and Henry.

City Council | City of Edgewood

Ben Barlage is a lifelong resident of Edgewood. He earned an architecture degree from the University of Kentucky and is a member of St. Pius X Church. Ben and his wife, Carrie, have four children.

City Council - Edgewood, KY

QUESTION (for incumbents): What do you see are the main issues facing your city?

Ben Barlage: We have the extreme benefit of living in a very stable and fiscally sound city. This does not occur by chance, but by strong leadership that focuses on the following main issues: Supporting all avenues of safety such as our Police, Fire and EMS. Maintaining Infrastructure to stay above the 90th percentile in comparison to all other cities in the state. Remaining financially stable and reviewing annual budgets in a thorough fashion along with independent auditing.
Providing effective communication with citizens while providing avenues of community engagement throughout the year. The citizens of Edgewood make our city great.

Candidates for Edgewood City Council answer questions - LINK nky

QUESTION (for incumbents): What are your chief accomplishments while you have been on council/commission?

Ben Barlage: Working together with the City Staff, the Mayor and Council members we have been able to accomplish a great deal. Efforts are often by committee, but some are individual in nature. A few that I have taken the leadership role in, where my skills as an Architect have been helpful, are as follows: Master planning the 6-acre addition to President’s Park. Creating and presenting the schematic designs for the new White House Event Center. Designing the new Gazebo structure in President’s Park.
Working with the Fire Department to right size their sleeping quarters. Saving the Ginko Tree at R.C. Hinsdale School. Each council person brings a special skill to the table. Together, we have worked with city staff and council to lower taxes while raising the standard of living.
Our entire communities’ efforts were recognized in 2019 when Edgewood was voted the #1 city in Kentucky!

Supports communication with residents and opportunities for community engagement throughout the year.

As a councilmember, led planning for President’s Park’s six-acre addition and the design of the White House Event Center and park gazebo.

- Supports communication with residents and opportunities for community engagement throughout the year.
- As a councilmember, led planning for President’s Park’s six-acre addition and the design of the White House Event Center and park gazebo.

Public Services

As of September 15, 2026, Ben Barlage did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Ben Barlage: No. 1, infrastructure – road, drainage and utility upgrades along Edgewood and Lyndale Roads. No. 2, safety of our citizens.

We have already contracted with the engineering firms to work through a solution.
I plan to be involved with the community meetings and design review to make sure that the proposed solutions work for our citizens.

Edgewood council candidates

We have already contracted with the engineering firms to work through a solution. 
I plan to be involved with the community meetings and design review to make sure that the proposed solutions work for our citizens.

I will always be an advocate for improving our sidewalks, traffic signals, traffic flow and police presence in our neighborhoods.

Proposed road, drainage, and utility upgrades along Edgewood and Lyndale Roads and was involved in related community meetings and design review.

Advocates for improvements to sidewalks, traffic signals, and traffic flow.

Prioritizes maintaining municipal infrastructure to a high standard.

- Proposed road, drainage, and utility upgrades along Edgewood and Lyndale Roads and was involved in related community meetings and design review.
- Advocates for improvements to sidewalks, traffic signals, and traffic flow.
- Prioritizes maintaining municipal infrastructure to a high standard.

Transportation & Infrastructure

I plan to be involved with the community meetings and design review to make sure that the proposed solutions work for our citizens.

I will always be an advocate for improving our sidewalks, traffic signals, traffic flow and police presence in our neighborhoods. I take pride in the fact that my children can walk safely to community parks, schools and local merchants without great fear or danger.

Advocates for a police presence in neighborhoods.

Supports police, fire, and emergency medical services as municipal safety priorities.

As a councilmember, worked with the fire department to determine the appropriate size of its sleeping quarters.

- Advocates for a police presence in neighborhoods.
- Supports police, fire, and emergency medical services as municipal safety priorities.
- As a councilmember, worked with the fire department to determine the appropriate size of its sleeping quarters.

Public Safety

Education

Prioritizes fiscal stability through thorough annual budget reviews and independent audits.

As a councilmember, said the council worked with city staff to lower taxes.

- Prioritizes fiscal stability through thorough annual budget reviews and independent audits.
- As a councilmember, said the council worked with city staff to lower taxes.

Economy

Facebook

LinkedIn

Ben Barlage

As of September 15, 2026, Ben Barlage’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Prioritizes maintaining municipal infrastructure to a high standard.

- Supports police, fire, and emergency medical services as municipal safety priorities.
- As a councilmember, worked with the fire department to determine the appropriate size of its sleeping quarters.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Bridget Grady Spears earned a bachelor's degree in communications and journalism from Northern Kentucky University.

Bridget has worked as a senior marketing and communications manager for a machinery manufacturing company for over the past five years.

# CITY OFFICIALS OF EDGEWOOD, KENTUCKY

CITY OFFICIALS
OF
EDGEWOOD, KENTUCKY
CITY COUNCIL
Bridget Grady Spears
Ben Barlage
Scott Spille
Joe Messmer
Jeff Schreiver
Rob Thelen
W. Jamie Ruehl

CITY OFFICIALS OF EDGEWOOD, KENTUCKY

Bridget Grady Spears currently serves on the Edgewood City Council.

As of September 15, 2026, Bridget Grady Spears did not have a website or any information online.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS —Charter Oak update —Mrs. Spears asked about the flags that have been put in the yards on Charter Oak Road. They were placed there without notification to the residents. Mr. Lunnemann explained that this is the first step in the design process to go out and survey the project area for possible easements, utility relocations, etc. Mr. Lunnemann also stated that at this stage of the project they do not communicate with the residents. Mr. Lunnemann also stated that there will be a public meeting at Liberty Hall in the near future when the design process is further along. Mrs. Spears asked that the website be updated with current information for the project.

Minutes 03.02.26 | City of Edgewood

Asked the city to update its website with current information about the Charter Oak road project.

- Asked the city to update its website with current information about the Charter Oak road project.

Bridget Grady Spears

As of September 15, 2026, Bridget Grady Spears’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

My name is Jeff Schreiver and I am running for re-election to Edgewood City Council. I have lived in Edgewood most of my life and have raised my family here. I am married to my wife, Kitten and we have two sons, Jacob(31)(married to Caite) and Jaret(22)and 2 wonderful Granddaughters. I graduated from Covington Catholic High School and attended Northern Ky University.  Currently, I am Vice President and part owner of our family business, Swan Floral & Gift Shop in Elsmere, Ky.

Jeff Schreiver has lived in Edgewood for most of his life. He graduated from Covington Catholic High School and attended Northern Kentucky University. He is married to Kitten and has two sons and two granddaughters.

Jeff currently works as vice president and part owner of Swan Floral & Gift Shop, a family business in Elsmere, Kentucky.

During the 25 years I have been on council, I have been instrumental in expanding our police force, enlarging our fire Department, building new facilities, bolstering our parks, improving almost every street in Edgewood and adding many sidewalks. All this has been done while lowering the property taxes in Edgewood to the lowest rate in years. I have always stuck to my motto of “Lower Taxes and Better Services” throughout my time on Council.

CITY OF EDGEWOOD
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
June 1, 2026
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER —Mayor Link called the meeting of the Edgewood City Council to order at 6:30 pm. The following council members were present: Ben Barlage, Joe Messmer, Jeff Schreiver, Bridget Grady Spears and Rob Thelen. Also, in attendance were City Administrator Brian Dehner, City Clerk Belinda Nitschke, and City Attorney Frank Wichmann. Other staff members present: Fire Chief Tom Dickman and Police Chief James “Jimmy” Kreinest. Council members W. Jamie Ruehl and Scott Spille were absent.

Minutes | City of Edgewood

Jeff currently serves on the Edgewood City Council and has served on the council for 25 years.

QUESTION (for incumbents): What projects would you like to see accomplished while you are on council/Commission?

Jeff Schreiver: This next term, I will be working to add further educational and recreational items to our parks including a children’s educational center. One of my goals this term is to have a development plan in place for Charter Oak Rd. Although our construction focus for the next two years will be Dudley Rd, I would like to have a plan in place for Charter Oak after this is completed. This would be done not only with the city input but in conjunction with the residents that live there.

Jeff Schreiver: I have been instrumental in bringing to our city many projects throughout my time on city council including in this past term, the new playground at Presidents Park, Wi-Fi in both parks, the new band shelter and the rebranding of all of the city’s signage with the new logo. The project that I am most proud of though in my time on city council is the purchase and development of six acres in Presidents Park.
I was heavily involved in every aspect of the new White House Event Center including exterior and interior design and the furniture and display items that are seen. This has been one of the greatest assets added to the city in a few years.

Plans to add educational and recreational park amenities, including a children's educational center.

Said he helped add a playground, park Wi-Fi, a band shelter, and development across six acres at Presidents Park.

- Plans to add educational and recreational park amenities, including a children's educational center.
- Said he helped add a playground, park Wi-Fi, a band shelter, and development across six acres at Presidents Park.

Jeff Schreiver: One of the main issues facing our city is the constant threat of developers trying to change our community. Edgewood has historically been a bedroom community with great parks, schools and families. Development and zoning has to be looked at carefully so that we do not change things on the whim of a developer that wants to bring the next new thing to our community. Another issue that we face will be the balance of money in our financial reserves and when it is time to say no more taxes.

I have always stuck to my motto of “Lower Taxes and Better Services” throughout my time on Council.

I will not vote for any new taxes and will continue to vote for responsible zoning to keep Edgewood a residential community. It makes me proud to say that all this hard work has earned Edgewood the ranking of Number One city in the state of Ky!

Advocates for careful, responsible zoning review to preserve Edgewood as a residential community.

- Advocates for careful, responsible zoning review to preserve Edgewood as a residential community.

Plans for Charter Oak Road following Dudley Road construction, with city and resident input.

- Plans for Charter Oak Road following Dudley Road construction, with city and resident input.

EDGEWOOD

The city of Edgewood will hold a special meeting for discussion of the intersection of Charter Oak and Tupman on August 27 at 6:30 p.m. Engineers will be at the meeting with renderings, but council members were a little upset that they would only see the drawings on the 27th and would not have a preview.

Mayor John Link explained that this is all the school and the school board, they are running it, and the school is responsible for buying the store that residents have complained about losing, not the city.

Council passed the second reading of an ordinance prohibiting all cannabis businesses within the city. Council members Jeff Schreiver and Dr. Spille voted against the ordinance, but five members voted for it so it passed.

Government briefs: Edgewood, Boone County, Newport, Erlanger - meetings this week - NKyTribune

Voted against an ordinance prohibiting cannabis businesses in Edgewood.

- Voted against an ordinance prohibiting cannabis businesses in Edgewood.

As of September 15, 2026, Jeff Schreiver did not have a website or any information online.

Jeff Schreiver: One of the main issues facing our city is the constant threat of developers trying to change our community. Edgewood has historically been a bedroom community with great parks, schools and families. Development and zoning has to be looked at carefully so that we do not change things on the whim of a developer that wants to bring the next new thing to our community. Another issue that we face will be the balance of money in our financial reserves and when it is time to say no more taxes.
I will never vote for a new tax in our city. I do not believe it is necessary and will always work for our city to be financially responsible while maintaining the high level of services including police, fire, streets and recreation that Edgewood has always provided.

Opposes new city taxes while maintaining police, fire, street, and recreation services.

- Opposes new city taxes while maintaining police, fire, street, and recreation services.

Jeff Schreiver

As of September 15, 2026, Jeff Schreiver’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Prioritizes city road repair and sewer and water-line projects, particularly in older areas of Edgewood.

As of September 15, 2026, Joe Messmer did not have a website or any information online.

Joe Messmer

As of September 15, 2026, Joe Messmer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

##### Rob Thelen

Moving to a house on Madonna in 1976, Rob Thelen has spent most of his life in the City of Edgewood. Rob has many fond memories of those early years while attending RC Hinsdale and Turkeyfoot Middle School. After graduating from Covington Latin High School in 1988, Rob went on to obtain Bachelor ‘s degrees in History and Organizational Studies from Northern Kentucky University.

Moving to a house on Madonna in 1976, Rob Thelen has spent most of his life in the City of Edgewood. Rob has many fond memories of those early years while attending RC Hinsdale and Turkeyfoot Middle School. After graduating from Covington Latin High School in 1988, Rob went on to obtain Bachelor ‘s degrees in History and Organizational Studies from Northern Kentucky University.
Rob and his wife Cara moved to Independence to start their young family in 2000. While continuing his career as a Senior IT Project Manager, Rob went back to NKU in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management, graduating in2009.

Rob and his wife Cara moved to Independence to start their young family in 2000. While continuing his career as a Senior IT Project Manager, Rob went back to NKU in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management, graduating in2009. When an opportunity to move arrived, Rob and Cara knew there was only one place to consider. So in the Spring of 2011, they moved their family to a home on Ridgetop Way and have lived there ever since.

While continuing his career as a Senior IT Project Manager, Rob went back to NKU in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management, graduating in2009. When an opportunity to move arrived, Rob and Cara knew there was only one place to consider. So in the Spring of 2011, they moved their family to a home on Ridgetop Way and have lived there ever since.

Rob Thelen has spent most of his life in Edgewood. He earned bachelor's degrees in history and organizational studies from Northern Kentucky University and a master's degree in public administration, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management, from the university. He lives with his wife, Cara, on Ridgetop Way.

Rob Thelen has spent most of his life in Edgewood. He earned bachelor's degrees in history and organizational studies from Northern Kentucky University and a master's degree in public administration, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management, from the university. He lives with his wife, Cara.

EDGEWOOD

Edgewood city council discussed the installation of a small lending library on city property, but as part of the Kenton County Public Library’s outreach program.

Council members seemed to be thinking affirmatively about the Little Free Library, but CAO Brian Dehner brought up some of the cons of having the library on city property, including the fact that the Kentucky League of Cities will not insure a structure like the library. He also said that if anyone else had a little box they wanted to put up on city property they would be able to because the city allowed the little free library.

After hearing the bleak negatives, a vote was held, and of the six council members present, 5 voted yes, to allow the little library on city property, and one, Councilman Rob Thelen, voted no.

Government briefs: A roundup of happenings in city meetings this week

QUESTION (for incumbents): What projects would you like to see accomplished while you are on council/Commission?

Rob Thelen: The first project I’d like to see completed is the Dudley Road upgrade. It’s the main artery through Edgewood and will add so much value when completed. Next, I’d like to see Charter Oak re-designed to be safer for drivers and allow for sidewalks. Next, I’d like to work on Freedom Park which is an area that is need of a facelift and improvements.
Outside of these three projects, we need to continue working with other cities to maintain and improve our Fire, EMT and Police departments (both recruitment and services), finding new ways to support our residents and each other. Along the way, I’d like to add or improve our already wonderful existing services with new technologies, etc.

Voted against allowing a Little Free Library on city property.

- Voted against allowing a Little Free Library on city property.
- Wants to improve Freedom Park.

As of September 15, 2026, Rob Thelen did not have a website or any information online.

QUESTION (for incumbents): What do you see are the main issues facing your city?

Rob Thelen is an incumbent running for Edgewood Council. Photo provided | Rob Thelen
Rob Thelen: Roads are our biggest expense and investment. We need to remain dedicated to improving, maintaining and repairing them each and every year. Our next biggest struggle is retaining our quality staff (Office, Police, Fire, General Services) by providing them with excellent working conditions, competitive pay and benefits and equipment and training. All too often, we lose them to other cities in the area that are able to pay more.

Prioritizes annual road maintenance, repairs, and improvements.

Wants to complete the Dudley Road upgrade and redesign Charter Oak for driver safety and sidewalks.

- Prioritizes annual road maintenance, repairs, and improvements.
- Wants to complete the Dudley Road upgrade and redesign Charter Oak for driver safety and sidewalks.

Supports competitive pay, benefits, equipment, training, and working conditions to retain police and fire staff.

Calls for continued collaboration among cities to maintain and improve fire, emergency medical, and police recruitment and services.

- Supports competitive pay, benefits, equipment, training, and working conditions to retain police and fire staff.
- Calls for continued collaboration among cities to maintain and improve fire, emergency medical, and police recruitment and services.

QUESTION (for incumbents): What are your chief accomplishments while you have been on council/commission?

Rob Thelen: I worked with our City Administrator to on-board the Reach Alert communication tool and a few years ago we worked together to find money in the budget to fund a full-time School Resource Officer for R.C. Hinsdale (now we have SROs at each of the public schools in Edgewood). I advocated and pushed for re-development of the Village Square site which is now a brand-new surgery center.

Said he helped secure funding for a full-time school resource officer at R.C. Hinsdale.

- Said he helped secure funding for a full-time school resource officer at R.C. Hinsdale.

Rob Thelen

As of September 15, 2026, Rob Thelen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

##### W. Jamie Ruehl

Jamie grew up in Erlanger and attended St. Henry High School, running Varsity Cross Country and Track all 4 years.

He graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in 2001 on an R.O.T.C. Scholarship.

Jamie grew up in Erlanger and attended St. Henry High School, running Varsity Cross Country and Track all 4 years.

He graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in 2001 on an R.O.T.C. Scholarship.

Upon graduation he entered active-duty Army as a Commissioned Officer.

After eight years of serving his community as a Police Officer, he rejoined the private sector.

He attained a Masters of Executive Leadership Organizational Change from Northern Kentucky University in 2018.

He was hired by Great American Insurance and obtained an Adjuster License in 2019.

W. Jamie Ruehl grew up in Erlanger. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Xavier University and a master's degree in executive leadership and organizational change from Northern Kentucky University.

He graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in 2001 on an R.O.T.C. Scholarship.

Upon graduation he entered active-duty Army as a Commissioned Officer. There he graduated from the “Infantry Officer Basic Course”, “Airborne School”, “Air Assault School”, and “Supply & Services Management Officer Course”. He attained the rank of Captain and resigned his commission in 2007 after multiple overseas tours.

Jamie led multiple Customer Service teams in the banking and prescription management industries in the Cincinnati area.

He attained the rank of Captain and resigned his commission in 2007 after multiple overseas tours.

Jamie led multiple Customer Service teams in the banking and prescription management industries in the Cincinnati area
Jamie joined the Independence, KY Police force, graduating from D.O.C.J.T. Officer Basic Course in 2011. Eventually he would also serve the City of Edgewood as a patrol officer.

Jamie led multiple Customer Service teams in the banking and prescription management industries in the Cincinnati area
Jamie joined the Independence, KY Police force, graduating from D.O.C.J.T. Officer Basic Course in 2011. Eventually he would also serve the City of Edgewood as a patrol officer.

After eight years of serving his community as a Police Officer, he rejoined the private sector.

He attained a Masters of Executive Leadership Organizational Change from Northern Kentucky University in 2018.

He was hired by Great American Insurance and obtained an Adjuster License in 2019.

He was elected to the Edgewood City Council in 2024.

W. Jamie Ruehl worked for Great American Insurance and obtained a license as an adjuster. Previously, he served as a police officer with the Independence, Kentucky, Police Department and as a patrol officer for Edgewood. Before entering law enforcement, he led customer service teams in the banking and prescription management industries and served as a captain in the U.S. Army.

Jamie worked for Great American Insurance and obtained a license as an adjuster. Previously, he served as a police officer with the Independence, Kentucky, Police Department and as a patrol officer for Edgewood. Before entering law enforcement, he led customer service teams in the banking and prescription management industries and served as a captain in the U.S. Army.

He was hired by Great American Insurance and obtained an Adjuster License in 2019.

He was elected to the Edgewood City Council in 2024.

Jamie was elected to the Edgewood City Council in 2024.

As of September 15, 2026, W. Jamie Ruehl did not have a website or any information online.

Ruehl’s number 1 priority as a council member, he said, would be transparency.

“Whether it’s a small project our city has undertaken or a major change in vision, right now many of our residents have expressed concern to me that they can’t get basic information from our Mayor/City Administrator,” he said.

The first change he would make as a council member, Ruehl said, is to bring back oversight committees. Without those committees, he said, citizens have no visibility on supplemental spending.

Edgewood City Council - LINK nky

Jamie Ruehl

The biggest improvement he can make as a councilmember, Ruehl told LINK, is his responsiveness to the residents of Edgewood.

“I’ve been attending all of the city council meetings this year and the biggest trend that I see is the city administration ignoring concerns brought before the council,” he said.

Ruehl’s number 1 priority as a council member, he said, would be transparency.

“Whether it’s a small project our city has undertaken or a major change in vision, right now many of our residents have expressed concern to me that they can’t get basic information from our Mayor/City Administrator,” he said.

Proposes restoring oversight committees to give residents visibility into supplemental spending.

Prioritizes transparency in city projects and major changes.

- Proposes restoring oversight committees to give residents visibility into supplemental spending.
- Prioritizes transparency in city projects and major changes.

W. Jamie Ruehl

As of September 15, 2026, W. Jamie Ruehl’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.

Edgewood City Council Member

Candidates (6)