2026 Kentucky General Election

Christopher is from Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Bryan Station High School and Mississippi State University.

Christopher Shafer - Urban County Council at Large, Kentucky

Who is running for LFUCG offices in 2026? - The CivicLex Weekly

Christopher Shafer is from Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Bryan Station High School and Mississippi State University.

Christopher Shafer's campaign for Lexington Urban County Council Member (At-Large) is his first entry into politics.

Christopher's campaign for Lexington Urban County Council Member (At-Large) is his first entry into politics.

Plans to fix roads, improve outdated snow response plans, and address traffic and traffic light issues that impact daily life.

- Plans to fix roads, improve outdated snow response plans, and address traffic and traffic light issues that impact daily life.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 16, 2026, Christopher Shafer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Taxes

Housing & Urban Development

Aims to strengthen storm response and improve severe weather alerts to keep the community safe and informed.

Supports fair pay and better support for city workers essential to the functioning of Lexington.

Supports balancing responsible development with preserving the character and integrity of neighborhoods.

- Aims to strengthen storm response and improve severe weather alerts to keep the community safe and informed.
- Supports fair pay and better support for city workers essential to the functioning of Lexington.
- Supports balancing responsible development with preserving the character and integrity of neighborhoods.

Public Services

Supports law enforcement and ensuring they have the necessary resources to keep the community safe.

- Supports law enforcement and ensuring they have the necessary resources to keep the community safe.

Public Safety

Economy

Education

Facebook

Christopher Shafer

Buket Urgen

Dan Wu is from China. He has a bachelor 27s degree in art studio from the University of Kentucky. He is married to his wife, Lauren, a high school teacher. They have two children.

Council At-Large and Vice Mayor, Dan Wu - Lexington, KY

'Find the thing that you're good at': UK alum, Lexington Vice Mayor ...

Dan Wu has a bachelor s degree in art studio from the University of Kentucky. He is married to his wife, Lauren, a high school teacher. They have two children.

Dan is the owner and operator of Atomic Ramen, a restaurant with multiple locations in Lexington. He previously worked as a private chef, doing pop-up events. He has also worked in journalism, retail, and restaurants. 

From China to Master Chef to Vice Mayor of Lexington: Dan Wu's ...

Dan is currently an at-large council member and vice mayor for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. He was first elected to office in November 2022 and is currently serving his first term.

Who's who in local government? - CivicLex

Dan Wu makes history as Lexington's first Asian Vice Mayor

As a city councilor, supported the adoption of a "Complete Streets" policy to improve multimodal travel.

- As a city councilor, supported the adoption of a "Complete Streets" policy to improve multimodal travel.

As of September 16, 2026, Dan Wu’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes land use policies should not only focus on infill and redevelopment.

- Believes land use policies should not only focus on infill and redevelopment.

Advocate for the city's efforts to partner with a national nonprofit that helps cancel medical debt for low-income residents.

- Advocate for the city's efforts to partner with a national nonprofit that helps cancel medical debt for low-income residents.

As Vice Mayor, Wu exercises cautious oversight of major city expenditures. He recently demonstrated this by voting against a massive contract to build a new city hall, citing severe concerns about committing the city to a massive financial project during a period of unpredictable federal funding.

- As Vice Mayor, Wu exercises cautious oversight of major city expenditures. He recently demonstrated this by voting against a massive contract to build a new city hall, citing severe concerns about committing the city to a massive financial project during a period of unpredictable federal funding.

Instagram

Dan Wu

Herbert Lynn is from Boyle County, Kentucky. He moved to Lexington in 2014.

Herbert Lynn - Ballotpedia

Herbert Lynn is from Boyle County, Kentucky. He earned a bachelor's degree from Grinnell College.

Herbert Lynn announces run for Lexington city councilman - FOX 56

Democratic socialist Herbert Lynn launches at-large bid for ...

Herbert previously served as a member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. He ran for an at-large seat on the Lexington City Council in 2026.

Herbert's campaign for an at-large seat on the Lexington-Fayette City Council is his first run for public office.

Plans to create a Public Power Utility that would be owned and held accountable by the city's residents.

Advocates for removing the solar cap on agricultural land, allowing residents the freedom to install renewable energy systems.

- Plans to create a Public Power Utility that would be owned and held accountable by the city's residents.
- Advocates for removing the solar cap on agricultural land, allowing residents the freedom to install renewable energy systems.

As of September 16, 2026, Herbert Lynn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes current city policies have played a role in rising rents and home prices while failing to properly address homelessness and housing costs.

Supports expanded mixed-use zoning and a vacancy tax to discourage unused rental properties in the community.

Advocates for stronger tenant protections and more investment in affordable housing.

Supports construction of the first permanent shelter and expanded mental health and addiction responses services to address homelessness.

- Believes current city policies have played a role in rising rents and home prices while failing to properly address homelessness and housing costs.
- Supports expanded mixed-use zoning and a vacancy tax to discourage unused rental properties in the community.
- Advocates for stronger tenant protections and more investment in affordable housing.
- Supports construction of the first permanent shelter and expanded mental health and addiction responses services to address homelessness.

Plans to protect city residents from U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents.

- Plans to protect city residents from U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Opposes the expansion of data centers and calls for them to be outlawed, believing they put strain on the electrical grid, increase pollution, and raise costs for residents.

- Opposes the expansion of data centers and calls for them to be outlawed, believing they put strain on the electrical grid, increase pollution, and raise costs for residents.

Twitter

Herbert Lynn

James Brown is from Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. ORnull

Council At-Large, James Brown | City of Lexington, Kentucky

James is an at-large member of the Lexington City Council. He has held that position since January 2023. He previously worked at Lexmark and at GTE, spent 13 years assembling vehicles at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, and sold residential and commercial property for United Real Estate.

James Brown (Kentucky) - Ballotpedia

Council has allocated the City's Fund Balance! - CivicLex

James Brown is currently an at-large member of the Lexington City Council in Kentucky. He was appointed to the council as the District 1 member by former Mayor Jim Gray in 2015 and subsequently elected to four terms representing District 1, including defeating Anita Rowe Franklin in 2018 and running unopposed in 2020. He was elected to his first at-large term in 2022 and assumed office on January 2, 2023, becoming the first African American to serve at-large in Lexington. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

James is currently an at-large member of the Lexington City Council in Kentucky. He was appointed to the council as the District 1 member by former Mayor Jim Gray in 2015 and subsequently elected to four terms representing District 1, including defeating Anita Rowe Franklin in 2018 and running unopposed in 2020. He was elected to his first at-large term in 2022 and assumed office on January 2, 2023, becoming the first African American to serve at-large in Lexington. His current term ends on January 4, 2027.

As of August 12, 2026, James Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a councilmember, is passionate about serving neighborhoods and the local school system, having held leadership roles in neighborhood associations and the PTA, and participated in various educational initiatives.

- As a councilmember, is passionate about serving neighborhoods and the local school system, having held leadership roles in neighborhood associations and the PTA, and participated in various educational initiatives.

As Chair of the Budget, Finance, & Economic Development Committee, Brown oversees the city's massive annual budget process.

Emphasizes the council's obligation to pass a balanced budget that adequately funds fundamental city services (like sanitation and public safety) while actively investing in community growth.

- As Chair of the Budget, Finance, & Economic Development Committee, Brown oversees the city's massive annual budget process.
- Emphasizes the council's obligation to pass a balanced budget that adequately funds fundamental city services (like sanitation and public safety) while actively investing in community growth.

James Brown

Stephanie Spires is from Corbin, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Tennessee. She has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from the University of Kentucky and is currently pursuing a master 27s degree in higher education from the same university. She and her husband, John, foster children in the care of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human Services.

Major Improvement - Stephanie Spires

Stephanie Spires has a bachelor 's degree in political science and is pursuing a master's degree in higher education from the University of Kentucky. She is a married mother of five.

Stephanie is a family life coach and child advocate. She previously served as the executive director of Arbor Youth Services, Central Kentucky's only emergency children's shelter, and the McKenna Foundation, where she helped the agency meet its fundraising goal to open a new pediatric emergency room at UK Hospital. She also worked as the interim executive director of Caritas Cares Solutions, which built Lexington's only therapeutic emergency shelter for children. 

Stephanie Spires - Ballotpedia

About - Stephanie Spires Strategies

Directors - Lexington - KORE Academy

Stephanie has served as the executive director of a neurodiverse-affirming school for the past 11 months. She has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of a company for the past seven years that helps children through coaching, training courses, professional development, and strategic and program planning.

Stephanie previously served on the Fayette County Public Schools Board of Education from 2017 to 2022.

As of August 12, 2026, Stephanie Aschmann Spires did not have a website or any information online.

Advocates for training school board members to support students experiencing homelessness and in foster care, and has testified on issues affecting Kentucky's children.

Advocates for training school board members to support students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care.

- Advocates for training school board members to support students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care.

LinkedIn

Stephanie Aschmann Spires

As of August 12, 2026, Stephanie Spires did not have a website or any information online.

Stephanie Spires

William Tate Ohmer (also known as Tate) is from Boone County, Kentucky. He has a bachelor's degree from Transylvania University. He lives in the Northside neighborhood of Lexington.

Tate Ohmer - Ballotpedia

William Ohmer (also known as Tate) is from Boone County, Kentucky. He has a bachelor's degree from Transylvania University. He lives in the Northside neighborhood of Lexington.

Tate is a member of his family's contracting business. He also works as a campaign consultant and a non-profit lobbyist.

William is a member of his family's contracting business. He also works as a campaign consultant and a non-profit lobbyist.

William previously ran for an at-large seat on the Lexington City Council in 2026 but did not win.

Wants to creatively address traffic issues by decreasing sightlines to reduce speeding, and advocates for planting trees and improving walkability to create a safer and more accessible community.

- Wants to creatively address traffic issues by decreasing sightlines to reduce speeding, and advocates for planting trees and improving walkability to create a safer and more accessible community.

As of August 12, 2026, William Tate Ohmer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes the housing crisis in Lexington cannot be solved by subsidizing demand and advocates for addressing it through increasing housing supply by reforming zoning laws to allow for more affordable housing development.

Wants to open up more pathways for people to build the kinds of houses they can afford, helping them and their families to build up wealth while reducing the pressure on our renting market.

- Believes the housing crisis in Lexington cannot be solved by subsidizing demand and advocates for addressing it through increasing housing supply by reforming zoning laws to allow for more affordable housing development.
- Wants to open up more pathways for people to build the kinds of houses they can afford, helping them and their families to build up wealth while reducing the pressure on our renting market.

Supports establishing a Third Space Commission to enhance community engagement and mental health through the development of third spaces in the urban landscape.

- Supports establishing a Third Space Commission to enhance community engagement and mental health through the development of third spaces in the urban landscape.

Supports encouraging small businesses to open, employ, and expand, as they retain a higher percentage of spending within the local community compared to larger businesses.

Plans to create local tax rebates for entrepreneurs to help offset costs associated with starting new businesses, aiming to encourage growth, employment, and community development.

Said, "Kentucky has had success with creating tax rebates for businesses that bring investment and tourism dollars. I would like to create a local version of these rebates that would allow entrepreneurs to keep a portion of their city taxes to offset costs associated with creating a new business. "

Said, "I am committed to reducing bureaucracy and cutting waste to ensure that we use our tax dollars to invest in our community without having to increase taxes for working people and retirees who are already living paycheck-to-paycheck."

- Supports encouraging small businesses to open, employ, and expand, as they retain a higher percentage of spending within the local community compared to larger businesses.
- Plans to create local tax rebates for entrepreneurs to help offset costs associated with starting new businesses, aiming to encourage growth, employment, and community development.
- Said, "Kentucky has had success with creating tax rebates for businesses that bring investment and tourism dollars. I would like to create a local version of these rebates that would allow entrepreneurs to keep a portion of their city taxes to offset costs associated with creating a new business. "
- Said, "I am committed to reducing bureaucracy and cutting waste to ensure that we use our tax dollars to invest in our community without having to increase taxes for working people and retirees who are already living paycheck-to-paycheck."

William Tate Ohmer

As of August 12, 2026, William Ohmer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

William Ohmer

- Urban county council members make up the legislative body of the Lexington-Fayette County 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. 
- The urban county council has 12 district council members and three at-large council members. 
- Council members voted to represent a single district serve two-year terms and those voted at-large serve four-year terms. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your urban county.

Lexington Urban County Council Member

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Lexington Urban County Council Member

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