2026 Kentucky General Election

During Dave’s 30 plus years in the business, he’s focused on software development and cyber security. He has experience as a software engineer, project manager and instructor. In addition to working in the industry for decades, Dave has been an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State Community and Technical College for nearly 20 years, teaching programming courses to help the next generation of workers prepare for careers in technology.

Dave Hatter: IT and Cyber Security Consultant - Intrust IT

David Hatter has experience as a software engineer, project manager, and instructor, with a focus on software development and cybersecurity. He has been an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State Community and Technical College, teaching programming courses.

Dave Hatter
MAYOR
[email protected]
859-331-1700
Mayor: 2015 - Present
Council: 1998 - 2014

Resident for 56 Years

City Council - City of Fort Wright, KY

Mayor Hatter, who served on the Fort Wright City Council for eight (8) consecutive terms before becoming Mayor in 2015, has over 22 years of experience and has earned the confidence and support of residents, business leaders, co-workers, and other elected officials both inside and outside of the city limits.

Press Release - City of Fort Wright, KY

David has served as mayor of Fort Wright since 2015. Before becoming mayor, he served eight consecutive terms on the Fort Wright City Council.

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

Education

The bill, House Bill 102, would allow the state to regulate short-term rentals, such as those listed on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, instead of allowing cities and counties to set their own rules. Council members expressed concerns that the bill would undermine local zoning laws and the ability of cities to manage their own communities. "We believe that local governments are best suited to make decisions about their own communities," said Mayor Dave Hatter. "This bill would take away our ability to regulate short-term rentals in a way that makes sense for Fort Wright."

Fort Wright opposes state control of short-term rental regulations

Opposes shifting short-term-rental regulation from local governments to the state.

- Opposes shifting short-term-rental regulation from local governments to the state.

Housing & Urban Development

Examples include upgrades to the South Hills Civic Club, a rolling five-year Street program that has seen more than $12,000,000 in street and sidewalk improvements over the last 20 years (about $650,000 per year on average), upgrades to Volunteer Park, and other upgrades planned including sidewalk improvements to make the city more walkable.

This also includes significant investments in Staff; we’ve added positions in the Police Department and the Fire Department and continue to adjust pay and benefits in alignment with our neighboring cities to ensure that we can attract and retain the best employees to serve you.

Opinion – Dave Hatter: Mayor endorses re-election of all six incumbent Fort Wright city council members - NKyTribune

On behalf of myself, Council and Staff, I want to condemn this flyer and state in the strongest possible terms that this type of hateful garbage is loathsome and deplorable, does not represent the Fort Wright Community or the values of our businesses and residents, will not be tolerated in the City of Fort Wright and should not be tolerated by our society as a whole. The Fort Wright Police Department is investigating and warns criminals that intimidation, acts of violence and/or other crimes will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We encourage residents to stay alert and report anything suspicious.

City of Fort Wright — Distributed flyer (PDF)

Supports adding police and fire department positions and adjusting compensation to help recruit and retain staff.

Calls for residents to report suspicious activity and says intimidation, violence, and other crimes should be prosecuted fully.

- Supports adding police and fire department positions and adjusting compensation to help recruit and retain staff.
- Calls for residents to report suspicious activity and says intimidation, violence, and other crimes should be prosecuted fully.

Public Safety

City Infrastructure

Maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure including our parks, community assets like the South Hills Civic Club, public rights of ways, and approximately 52 miles of roadway is one of City Council’s major responsibilities and it is taken very seriously. Last year, we allocated nearly $650,000 towards road improvement projects on General Drive, Pickett Drive, Pickett Court, and George Huser Drive.

State of the City 2026 | Tax Reductions | Audit | Infrastructure | Events & More

Prioritizes maintaining and upgrading parks, community assets, public rights-of-way, and city roads.

- Prioritizes maintaining and upgrading parks, community assets, public rights-of-way, and city roads.

Public Services

The Fiscal Year 2026 Street Program includes reconstruction of Hazelwood Drive (Redwood to Park Road) and the addition of new pavement to Elder Court (Redwood to the cul-de-sac) at a cost of $499,000. Additionally, the City is planning to resurface Highland Avenue and has secured SNK Resurfacing funds that will offset 80% of the cost. Funds will be available starting in July 2026 and the project must be completed by June 2027.

The City also plans to extend and connect the sidewalk on Dixie Highway in front of the Christ Hospital property. This will require the construction of a retaining wall varying from 2' to 7' in height, as well as the incorporation of a more decorative guardrail and fence system for improved safety and aesthetics. The City secured grant funding from the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) that will cover 60% of the anticipated $1.03 million project cost; the City’s portion is $412,000.

Plans to reconstruct Hazelwood Drive, repave Elder Court, and resurface Highland Avenue using state resurfacing funds.

Plans to extend and connect the Dixie Highway sidewalk near the Christ Hospital property.

- Plans to reconstruct Hazelwood Drive, repave Elder Court, and resurface Highland Avenue using state resurfacing funds.
- Plans to extend and connect the Dixie Highway sidewalk near the Christ Hospital property.

Transportation & Infrastructure

In 2023, City Council voted unanimously to drastically reduce the City's long-standing Motor Vehicle Tax, saving residents roughly $90 per vehicle per year. And in 2021 City Council lowered the Occupational License (Payroll) Tax from 1.15% to .99%, making Fort Wright's rate the lowest in Kenton County. City Council and I continue to look for ways to cut costs and to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket where it belongs.

“The proposal this year is a fairly substantial tax cut,” Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter said. “As a whole, revenue is up and expenses are relatively static.”

Fort Wright to see lowest property tax rate since 2008 - LINK nky

Supports reducing city costs and taxes, including a proposed property-tax cut.

- Supports reducing city costs and taxes, including a proposed property-tax cut.

Economy

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David Hatter

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

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

- 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. 

Fort Wright Mayor

Candidates (1)