ELSMERE, KY – Eric Bunzow has officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Elsmere in the upcoming 2025 election. Bunzow, a lifelong resident of Elsmere, has been actively involved in the community for many years, serving on various local boards and committees.

Elsmere 'chicken man' announces mayoral run - LINK nky

Eric Bunzow is a lifelong resident of Elsmere.

2026 Kentucky General Election

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

Education

Eric Bunzow, known as "the Elsmere Chicken Man," testified before the Interim Local Government Committee at the state Capitol on Tuesday, advocating for a bill that would allow residents to keep up to six chickens on residential properties throughout Kentucky. According to the proposed bill, House Bill 806, local governments "may enact and enforce reasonable ordinance regulations" such as sanitation standards and setback requirements for coops, but they cannot enact rules that prohibit a person from keeping six or fewer backyard chickens on any residential property. "It will stop a city or a county from changing zoning or any existing zoning that says no chickens," Bunzow told LEX 18.

Kentucky man advocates for HB 806 that would allow statewide backyard chickens

Advocates for House Bill 806 to prevent local governments from changing zoning to prohibit chickens.

- Advocates for House Bill 806 to prevent local governments from changing zoning to prohibit chickens.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Bunzow doesn't support the proposed changes. "It will change everything, and I don't think it would be for the better," said Bunzow. "It will cause more problems because people are just going to get more frustrated with backed-up traffic." The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet proposal would reduce a 1.5-mile stretch of Dixie Highway from four lanes to two travel lanes and add a dedicated center turn lane.

Residents, leaders share concerns over proposed changes to Dixie Highway

Opposes the proposed Dixie Highway lane reduction, saying it would worsen traffic congestion.

- Opposes the proposed Dixie Highway lane reduction, saying it would worsen traffic congestion.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Economy

Eric Bunzow

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

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Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Marty Lenhof

- The duties of the mayor depend on the type of government within the city, 
- If the city has a mayor-council form of government, the mayor is responsible for the executive and administrative functions of the government. They oversee all city departments, but cannot vote in most council matters. 
- If the city has a mayor-aldermen form of government, the mayor is responsible for executing and enforcing local and state laws. The mayor may appoint city officials with approval from the aldermen. 
- If the city has a mayor-commission form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is responsible for executing all decisions reached by the commission. 
- If the city has a city manager form of government, the mayor presides over the city commissioners and can vote within the commission. The mayor is recognized as the head of the city department but does not have any regular administrative duties. 
- City mayors are elected during general elections for a four-year term. Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for mayor. 