##### 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.

City Council | City of Edgewood

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.

City Council - Edgewood, KY

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.

2026 Kentucky General Election

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.

Candidates for Edgewood City Council answer questions - LINK nky

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.

Public Services

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

Housing & Urban Development

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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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.

Public Safety

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.

Education

Economy

Rob Thelen

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

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Ben Barlage

Bridget Grady Spears

Jeff Schreiver

Joe Messmer

W. Jamie Ruehl

- 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.