2026 Kentucky General Election

Ian VanSTEENBERGH

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BORN & RAISED KENTUCKIAN.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.

Ian was born in Midway to two working-class parents: his mother from Kentucky and his father from Brooklyn, New York, but both united by the Horse Capital of the World. His mom grew up as the daughter of a farmer and a dedicated public servant, where she learned the values of hard work. His dad grew up in New York, where he was introduced to the horse industry, ultimately leading him to Kentucky. Together, they opened up their small business in Midway, Kentucky, in 1998.

Meet Ian | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

Amidst his advocacy work in High School and college work, Ian found another way to help people: helping them find home. After graduating from high school and obtaining his Associate’s Degree from Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), he began a career in real estate. After inspiration from his mentor, he joined a top-producing, boutique brokerage, Indigo & Co Realty. His real estate career has opened his eyes to the housing affordability crisis, economic development, and how to balance historical preservation with growth.

Ian VanSTEENBERGH was born in Midway. He earned an associate's degree from Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

Ian VanSTEENBERGH began a career in real estate and joined Indigo & Co Realty, a brokerage.

Two years ago, Midway elected Ian because he promised to get things done — not make headlines. Here's what that's looked like:

Parks: Served on the Parks Board; supported projects at Walter Bradley Park and Bluejay Park; working on Midway's third park at Midway Station.

Infrastructure: Worked to pave roads, like the Midway Cemetery, and invest in sidewalk projects.

What We Accomplished in Two Years | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

PARKS

As a member of the Parks Board, I know just how important our parks are to the community. They are vital to our well-being and to creating a healthy Midway. We’ve done great work so far, but we have to keep ensuring they continue to be a success.

With just a few more projects in Walter Bradley Park and Bluejay Park, we’re now focusing on our soon-to-be third park in Midway Station. This is an incredible opportunity that we must make the most of.

Infrastructure | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

Supports completing projects at Walter Bradley and Bluejay parks and developing a third park at Midway Station.

- Supports completing projects at Walter Bradley and Bluejay parks and developing a third park at Midway Station.

Public Services

WHAT A SOLUTION LOOKS LIKE

The only way to fix the housing problem is by creating more housing units. It’s supply and demand. But change doesn’t have to be bad. If we slowly fix the problem and can work with people who share the same vision of keeping Midway, well, Midway, then we can create solutions that work for all.

Housing | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

We have a lot of “Missing Middle” housing. This can include, but is not limited to, townhouses, cottages (smaller single-family homes), starter homes, condos, and multi-family buildings. We need to diversify our housing options so we can ensure a healthy turnover of homes.

Other than diversifying housing types, we have to make sure any new development or building is not too large and that it keeps with the historical charm of Midway’s architecture. We could create incentives for people to build ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units, or sometimes called “Granny Pods”). We could create incentives to fill in our infill. We have to make sure we invest in “Smart Growth".

We can start by redoing the City of Midway’s website to reflect who we really are. We can put policy in place to protect our historic buildings. We can work with the State to rethink the entrance to Midway from the interstate.

Preservation | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

Proposes incentives for accessory dwelling units and infill development.

Supports increasing housing supply and diversifying housing options, including townhouses, cottages, starter homes, condominiums, and multifamily buildings.

Supports housing development that preserves Midway's historic architectural character and limits building scale.

Proposes protecting historic buildings and working with the state to rethink Midway's interstate entrance.

- Supports increasing housing supply and diversifying housing options, including townhouses, cottages, starter homes, condominiums, and multifamily buildings.
- Supports housing development that preserves Midway's historic architectural character and limits building scale.
- Proposes protecting historic buildings and working with the state to rethink Midway's interstate entrance.

Housing & Urban Development

Our roads need fixing. We need to have a plan on where we need to strategically invest our tax dollars. After Midway Renaissance back in 2005, very little has been done to work on the other parts of our community that need a little investment in beautification. Roads need to be repaved. We need curbs.

Advocates for completing and repairing sidewalks, adding pedestrian cutouts and bulbouts, and improving pedestrian safety.

SIDEWALKS

We have a sidewalk problem. Many are broken, are not continuous, or some just don’t exist at all. It’s time we invest in our sidewalks. From finishing the sidewalks, creating cutouts for easier walkability, to putting in bulbouts that help with pedestrian safety and speeding, we need to focus on making Midway safer.

Calls for formal downtown parking, upgraded signs, and landscaping improvements for residents and tourists.

DOWNTOWN AREA

Midway Renaissance focused heavily on Downtown. They created a better Downtown. But the way we use it has changed. We now have almost every building with a business in it, and we have a multitude of different businesses. We just need to make some tweaks. We need to invest in areas to create more formal parking. We need to upgrade signs. We need to spruce up Downtown a little with trees, flowers, and ensure it works for both tourists and residents.

Infrastructure | Ian Vansteenberg for Midway

Said he worked to pave roads, including at Midway Cemetery, and invest in sidewalk projects.

Parks: Served on the Parks Board; supported projects at Walter Bradley Park and Bluejay Park; working on Midway's third park at Midway Station.

Infrastructure: Worked to pave roads, like the Midway Cemetery, and invest in sidewalk projects.

Economic Development: Sold the old Fire Station on Bruen Street, which now houses one of Midway’s newest businesses, the Bruen Bunker.

Budget: Passed two budgets with rainy day funds, without raising taxes (We actually lowered the tax rate in 2025).

Calls for strategic investment to repave roads, add curbs, and improve neighborhood beautification.

- Calls for strategic investment to repave roads, add curbs, and improve neighborhood beautification.

Transportation & Infrastructure

We also have an ever-expanding police budget. I’ve continued to push for an expanded police presence in Midway. If we continue to pay more and more each year, we need to have services that match what we pay. Let me be clear: the police are absolutely necessary and I 100% support them, we just need a better presence for what we pay. We need to keep working on stopping speeding not only through a police presence, but through infrastructure upgrades such as speed tables or speed monitors on the speed limit signs.

Public Safety | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

Supports addressing speeding through police presence, speed tables, and speed-monitor signs.

Let me be clear: the police are absolutely necessary and I 100% support them, we just need a better presence for what we pay. We need to keep working on stopping speeding not only through a police presence, but through infrastructure upgrades such as speed tables or speed monitors on the speed limit signs.

Advocates for an expanded police presence that matches the city's police spending.

- Advocates for an expanded police presence that matches the city's police spending.

Public Safety

As of October 8, 2026, Ian VanSTEENBERGH’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

I know just how crucial these small businesses are to our community and economic well-being. We have to continue to support our small businesses, whether that be retail, restaurants, professional, or anything in between. Our community is the strongest when none of the buildings are empty and each business is happy. Through creative planning, we can expand our economy, fill up Midway Station with businesses, and give the people of Midway options.

Economic Growth | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

Once Midway Station is fully developed, that will bring in new tax revenue. My job on council is making sure we're not making promises we can't pay for, and not raising taxes to cover spending we don’t need to do. And if we can save money to pay for larger projects, we should plan for them.

Fiscal Responsibility | Ian VanSteenbergh for Midway

WHAT I'VE DONE / WHAT I'LL KEEP DOING

Lowered the property tax rate in 2025

Pushed for the Midway Cemetery road pavement project that required saving

Passed two budgets with rainy day funds

I will continue to ensure our budget remains balanced and we are in a position to pay for projects that benefit the people of Midway

Being fiscally responsible doesn't mean saying no to everything. It means being honest about tradeoffs — the same way I am about housing. We can invest in Midway's roads, parks, and growth without writing checks the city can't cash.

Calls for community investment and tourism that attracts businesses without turning Midway into a tourist town or bedroom community.

We’ve had folks talk to the Tourism Commission, Chamber, and Business Association, but when they look at the data, it doesn’t make sense for them. We need to invest in the community, attract tourists (without becoming a tourist town or bedroom community), and ensure we have the right resources for businesses to come to Midway and invest. It’ll take some creativity and time, but we can attract those businesses Midway residents want, while we support our local small-businesses Downtown.

Advocates supporting local small businesses, filling commercial spaces, and attracting businesses to Midway Station.

Prioritizes balanced budgets, reserves for larger projects, and avoiding tax increases for unnecessary spending.

- Advocates supporting local small businesses, filling commercial spaces, and attracting businesses to Midway Station.
- Prioritizes balanced budgets, reserves for larger projects, and avoiding tax increases for unnecessary spending.

Economy

Harvey COUCH

Kaye Nita GALLAGHER

Logan NANCE

Mary C. RAGLIN

Ray ADEE

Steve SIMOFF

Zachary RANKIN

- 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.