2026 Kentucky General Election

Kaye Nita GALLAGHER

Buket Urgen

Gallagher, 56, is a retired state employee, assistant manager at the Brown Barrel restaurant, and runs a mobile kettle corn business, 2 Ladies and a Kettle. She also works part time at Kohl’s in Frankfort. Gallagher said she believes working a variety of jobs helps her council work because the jobs provide connections to the community. Gallagher grew up in Franklin and Scott counties, attended the University of Kentucky for a year and worked in personnel and payroll for Kentucky State Parks. She said she has lived for nearly 26 years in her grandparents’ old house in the 100 block of West Main Street.

Midway Messenger: CANDIDATE PROFILES

Kaye Nita Gallagher grew up in Franklin and Scott counties. She attended the University of Kentucky for a year. She has lived for nearly 26 years in her grandparents' old house in the 100 block of West Main Street.

CANDIDATE PROFILES - Midway Messenger

Kaye Nita Gallagher, 56, is a retired state employee, assistant manager at the Brown Barrel restaurant, and runs a mobile kettle corn business, 2 Ladies and a Kettle. She also works part time at Kohl’s in Frankfort. Gallagher said she believes working a variety of jobs helps her council work because the jobs provide connections to the community.

Kaye works as an assistant manager at the Brown Barrel restaurant, operates a mobile kettle corn business, 2 Ladies and a Kettle, and works part-time at Kohl’s in Frankfort. She is a retired state employee.

Kaye Nita Gallagher says her experience is needed at a critical time. By Heston Bates, University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media. Running for a fourth term, City Council Member Kaye Nita Gallagher says she believes that her six years will be crucial in helping Midway navigate the unpredictability of the pandemic and other issues. “I think it helps,” she said in an interview, “because I know what’s going on especially with Midway Station and the sewer project.”

Kaye served as a Midway City Council member for six years.

As of October 8, 2026, Kaye Nita GALLAGHER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Said Midway should not undertake further development after Midway Station is full.

What goals does Gallagher have if elected to another term? “I would like to see Midway Station at 100 percent occupancy.” The city has already filled the industrial lots but still needs to sell the commercial ones to complete development. “I want to see all the lots filled before my time on the council is over,” she said. In the forum, she said, “Once we get Midway Station full that’s it; we don’t need to develop anymore.”

Supports lowering property-tax rates only if it does not burden city finances; otherwise, favors keeping rates unchanged.

Due to a rise in real-estate evaluations the council has lowered property-tax rates. Asked in the Oct. 5 candidate forum if the council should continue to do that if assessments keep rising, Gallagher said “I think with Midway Station full the occupational tax is going to bring in a lot more money. If we can lower it without being a burden on the city, that would be great. If not we ought to keep them where they are at.”

Supports accepting 38 acres as a buffer zone between Midway Station and nearby roads.

In developing Midway Station, the Woodford County Economic Development Authority has incurred debts to the city. The EDA recently proposed to retire the debt by deeding the city 38 acres of land along the highways that would be a buffer zone between the industrial park and the roads. Gallagher said “We should accept the buffer zone just because they have helped us out so much with developing Midway Station.”

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to upgrade Midway’s infrastructure, including diagnosing sewer-system problems.

Kaye Nita Gallagher, campaigning for her third term on the Midway City Council, says she is looking to help upgrade the infrastructure throughout Midway and get more tourism downtown, where she lives and works. “The infrastructure needs upgrading and we are working on that,” Gallagher said, noting that the city’s engineers are using a camera to diagnose problems in the sewer system.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Is open to new, research-informed measures to address speeding.

Another issue facing the council is speeding. Gallagher said new speed limit signs and an empty police car in front of the doctor’s office to deter speeders seem to be only temporary solutions, because she still gets complaints about speeding. Gallagher is open to new solutions “if we can do some kind of research, if we can get some sort of study.”

Opposes building a new fire station immediately but may support it later if funds are available.

The city recently bought a new ladder truck for the fire department, but it won’t fit into the fire station on Bruen Street, prompting Mayor Grayson Vandegrift to suggest building a new station at Midway Station. Asked about that, Gallagher said, “Not right now; possibly in the future, as long as we have the money, but if there is a fire at Midway University the one on Bruen Street would be able to get there faster.”

Public Safety

Education

Wants Midway Station’s commercial lots to reach full occupancy.

What goals does Gallagher have if elected to another term? “I would like to see Midway Station at 100 percent occupancy.” The city has already filled the industrial lots but still needs to sell the commercial ones to complete development. “I want to see all the lots filled before my time on the council is over,” she said.

Supports another round of pandemic relief for local businesses if feasible.

Asked if she favors another round of pandemic relief for businesses, she said, “If it’s possible yes. If there was another round, it would be back on us, and chances are it couldn’t go to the citizens again; it would have to go to the businesses. . . . Obviously their sales aren’t as good as they’ve been in the past,” she said, “but they’re surviving.”

Voted for additional resident vouchers for spending at local businesses as COVID-19 relief.

The Midway City Council voted 3-2 Monday for a second and third round of vouchers for residents to spend at local businesses, rather than give money directly to the businesses for COVID-19 relief. Voting with Southworth were Kaye Nita Gallagher, who said earlier, “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from citizens about the vouchers,” and Logan Nance, who said he didn’t think $2,000 would make a difference to a business at risk of closing.

Midway Messenger: June 2020

Economy

Harvey COUCH

Ian VanSTEENBERGH

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.