2026 Kentucky General Election

Ed MCDANIEL

Facebook

Instagram

Buket Urgen

As of October 6, 2026, Ed MCDANIEL’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Wants city growth managed so infrastructure keeps pace and neighborhoods improve.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Calls for city social-media posts to allow resident comments and for the city to take legitimate concerns seriously.

Pledges to maintain an open-door policy and be available to residents.

Public Services

Prioritizes municipal services, roads, and sidewalks for Richmond residents.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wants city employees to be valued and supported as Richmond grows.

Economy

Robert R. BLYTHE

Robert R. Blythe graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1971, where he majored in mathematics. He later earned master’s and doctoral degrees in divinity.

Leading a Life of Service - Eastern Kentucky University

Robert R. Blythe continues to serve as pastor of First Baptist in Richmond. He previously taught mathematics at the high school and middle school levels in Gary, Indiana, and taught in local public schools and at his alma mater.

Robert was elected mayor of Richmond in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He previously served eight consecutive two-year terms on the Richmond City Commission after first being elected in 2002. He ran unsuccessfully for city commissioner in 1977.

Incumbent Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe wins a second term | WEKU

As of October 6, 2026, Robert R. BLYTHE’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to focus on homelessness in Richmond.

Wants the city to closely examine what constitutes affordable housing.

Wants to provide a more suitable facility for the police department.

- 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. 

Richmond Mayor

Candidates (2)