2026 Kentucky Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

Lex vote

C. Huffman is a current public relations specialist at UK focusing on the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; Rosenberg College of Law; UK Libraries; and The Graduate School at UK.



Supports scholarships for first-responders to become social workers

- Supports scholarships for first-responders to become social workers

Education

Will Declare housing emergency on day one

Supports a unhoused government resource center.

- Will Declare housing emergency on day one
- Supports a unhoused government resource center.

Housing & Urban Development

As of March 25, 2026, C. Huffman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Public Services

Supports Installation of a Smart Signal Traffic Centralized Management System

- Supports Installation of a Smart Signal Traffic Centralized Management System

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports an academy to help new entrepreneurs create and small businesses to expand.

- Supports an academy to help new entrepreneurs create and small businesses to expand.

Economy

Facebook

C. Huffman

Isaac Brickman

Mauricio Mendez

Matthew Tomas

Instagram

Darnell Tagaloa earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Louisville. He is a father of three.

Darnell works at Clark Distributing Company. He previously worked as a Territory Account Manager for G & J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers for over a year, a Business Development Manager at iHeartMedia for over a year, and an Account Manager at Coca-Cola for over eight years.

Darnell previously ran for Lexington council member in 2022 and 2024 but did not win. This is his first run for mayor.

Darnell Tagaloa - Ballotpedia

Mayor - Vote Local Lexington

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

As of March 25, 2026, Darnell Tagaloa’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes adequate and affordable housing reflects city management and emphasizes the need for new leadership to address worsening housing challenges in Lexington.

Believes adequate and affordable housing reflects city management and emphasizes the need for new leadership to address housing challenges in Lexington.

- Believes adequate and affordable housing reflects city management and emphasizes the need for new leadership to address housing challenges in Lexington.

For Candidate Darnell Tagaloa on Issue public-safety: Believes public safety starts with personal safety and emphasizes improving the physical, mental, and financial security of all residents.

Thinks public safety starts with personal safety and emphasizes improving the physical, mental, and financial security of all residents.

- Thinks public safety starts with personal safety and emphasizes improving the physical, mental, and financial security of all residents.

Wants to improve the condition of roads in Lexington.

- Wants to improve the condition of roads in Lexington.

Opposes a project to build a new city hall due to it's projected cost for taxpayers.

Claims that as a mayor, he would be willing to take a pay cut to increase city council pay to attract better talent for the city council.

- Opposes a project to build a new city hall due to it's projected cost for taxpayers.
- Claims that as a mayor, he would be willing to take a pay cut to increase city council pay to attract better talent for the city council.

LinkedIn

Darnell Tagaloa

Buket Urgen

Greg is from Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Lafayette High School. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky.

Greg O'Neal - Ballotpedia

Landscaper restores pond in honor of late mentor - LEX18

Greg O'Neal is from Lexington, Kentucky. He attended Lafayette High School. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky.

Greg is a self employed landscape contractor.

Greg O'Neal's campaign for Mayor of Lexington is his first entry into politics.

Greg's campaign for Mayor of Lexington is his first entry into politics.

As of March 25, 2026, Greg Oneal did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to create and enforce a litter clean up law.

Said, "I am familiar with bullies. They can be detrimental to a group of people trying to meet their goals. Habitual complainers can bring an office down, too. Civil service has no place for employees who bring their personal problems to work. I will use an anonymous tip-line to find those who need help with their problem, so they aren’t everyone’s problem."

- Wants to create and enforce a litter clean up law.
- Said, "I am familiar with bullies. They can be detrimental to a group of people trying to meet their goals. Habitual complainers can bring an office down, too. Civil service has no place for employees who bring their personal problems to work. I will use an anonymous tip-line to find those who need help with their problem, so they aren’t everyone’s problem."

Plans to reset the traffic light system to address reckless driving, distracted driving, and red light running in Lexington.

- Plans to reset the traffic light system to address reckless driving, distracted driving, and red light running in Lexington.

Greg Oneal

As of March 25, 2026, Greg Oneal’s website did not contain information on this issue.

About Mayor Linda Gorton | City of Lexington, Kentucky

Linda Gorton earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Kentucky. She lives with her husband, Charlie, and has two adult children and five grandchildren. 

Linda Gorton- 2018 Candidate Questionnaire

Linda is a retired registered nurse. She worked in a U.S. Army field hospital.

Linda Gorton - Ballotpedia

Linda currently serves as the Mayor of Lexington, Kentucky. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term. She previously served as a city council member for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council from 1999-2015.

As a city council member, initiated a city-school communication and support network to better advocate for teachers and public employees.

- As a city council member, initiated a city-school communication and support network to better advocate for teachers and public employees.

Supports affordable housing development to address homelessness.

Supports affordable housing development to address homelessness and job training for parents of homeless students.

Supports the expansion of Lexington’s Affordable Housing Program.

Plans to expand the scope of Lexington’s Affordable Housing Program.

Plans to create a reliable funding source for the Affordable Housing Program, reducing costs for developers and increasing housing stock.

Wants to dedicate a reliable funding source to the Affordable Housing Program, reducing costs for developers and increasing housing stock.

- Supports affordable housing development to address homelessness and job training for parents of homeless students.
- Plans to expand the scope of Lexington’s Affordable Housing Program.
- Wants to dedicate a reliable funding source to the Affordable Housing Program, reducing costs for developers and increasing housing stock.

Plans to address public safety by targeting drug dealers and violent offenders, using Lexington's resources for addiction treatment and rehabilitation, and identifying individuals at risk of addiction.

Supports a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to combat the opioid crisis, emphasizing prevention, education, empathy, and coordination with various sectors, while also supporting needle exchange programs to reduce disease spread and facilitate recovery.

Plans to make community policing standard practice and ensure diversity in hiring.

Will direct the public safety commissioner and chiefs to make community policing standard practice and ensure diversity in hiring.

Supports expanding the One Lexington program to promote neighborhood safety and at-risk youth mentoring.

Supports expanding the One Lexington program to promote neighborhood safety and at-risk youth mentoring while providing opportunities for incarcerated individuals.  

- Plans to address public safety by targeting drug dealers and violent offenders, using Lexington's resources for addiction treatment and rehabilitation, and identifying individuals at risk of addiction.
- Supports a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to combat the opioid crisis, emphasizing prevention, education, empathy, and coordination with various sectors, while also supporting needle exchange programs to reduce disease spread and facilitate recovery.
- Will direct the public safety commissioner and chiefs to make community policing standard practice and ensure diversity in hiring.
- Supports expanding the One Lexington program to promote neighborhood safety and at-risk youth mentoring while providing opportunities for incarcerated individuals.  

Will pursue a multifaceted approach to planning that revolves around promoting arts, culture, and tourism through ensuring safety at parks, green initiatives within existing buildings, and promoting accessible green space.

- Will pursue a multifaceted approach to planning that revolves around promoting arts, culture, and tourism through ensuring safety at parks, green initiatives within existing buildings, and promoting accessible green space.

Seeks to address the rising congestion issues in Lexington by engaging with the state to find solutions, piloting smart traffic signals, and encouraging telecommuting.

- Seeks to address the rising congestion issues in Lexington by engaging with the state to find solutions, piloting smart traffic signals, and encouraging telecommuting.

Supports creating a comprehensive strategy to address labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those struggling in the workforce.

Prioritizes creating a comprehensive strategy to address labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those struggling in the workforce.

Supports creating strategic collaborations between city hall, regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.

Vows to create strategic collaborations between city hall and various groups to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education to residents.

Supports initiatives like the Minority Business Expo that assist minority-owned businesses.

- Prioritizes creating a comprehensive strategy to address labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those struggling in the workforce.
- Vows to create strategic collaborations between city hall and various groups to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education to residents.
- Supports initiatives like the Minority Business Expo that assist minority-owned businesses.

Twitter

Linda Gorton

Linda Gorton earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Kentucky. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, Charlie, and has two adult children and five grandchildren. 

Linda is a retired registered nurse. She worked in a US Army field hospital during her husband's time stationed in Germany, and worked as part of a volunteer team, "Operation Babylift" that examined orphans airlifted out of Vietnam in 1974. 

Linda currently serves as Mayor of Lexington, Kentucky. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term. She previously served as a city council member for Lexington Fayette Urban County Council from 1999-2015.

- Prioritizes creating a comprehensive strategy to address labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those struggling in the workforce.
- Vows to create strategic collaborations between city hall, regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.
- Supports initiatives like the Minority Business Expo that assist minority-owned businesses.

As of March 25, 2026, Linda Gorton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Rafael Perez

Maxwell Schaffner

Supports strengthening regional partnerships to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

Supports addressing violent crime through community programs, mentoring at-risk youth, and promoting jail-to-work initiatives for successful reintegration of former inmates.

Plans to create anti-violence networks with hospitals and community groups to focus on crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Wants to create anti-violence networks with hospitals and community groups to emphasize crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Supports the expansion of high-speed internet.

Supports providing infrastructure to attract new businesses and create jobs.

Supports fostering growth and innovation in existing industries and providing infrastructure to attract new businesses and jobs.

Believes success in the 21st Century economy requires reliable high-speed internet access and the ability to innovate.

Supports government agencies collaborating to streamline processes, ensuring oversight while eliminating outdated regulations to foster business creation and development.

Supports equitable access to training and education to create an inclusive economy and eliminate barriers to employment.

Supports collaboration among government agencies to enhance efficiency and transparency, advocating for the removal of outdated regulations to facilitate business creation and development.

Ramazani Asmani was born in 1999 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He came to Lexington as a refugee in 2013 and graduated from Dunbar High School in 2017.

Ramazani's campaign for Lexington mayor is his first time running for public office.

Ramazani Asmani - Ballotpedia

As of March 25, 2026, Ramazani Asmani’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports building more mixed-income and affordable housing units through partnerships with developers and nonprofits.

Supports incentivizing landlords to keep rents truly affordable.

For Candidate Ramazani Asmani on Issue housing: Supports converting vacant office and commercial buildings into housing.

Supports converting vacant office and commercial buildings into housing.

Supports launching the Mayor’s Housing Affordability Task Force with tenant involvement.

Supports protecting green spaces while encouraging thoughtful, balanced development.

Supports strengthening partnerships with shelters and service providers.

Supports building transitional housing with onsite counseling and case management.

Aims to pursue state and federal mental health funding specifically for Fayette County.

- Supports building more mixed-income and affordable housing units through partnerships with developers and nonprofits.
- Supports incentivizing landlords to keep rents truly affordable.
- Supports converting vacant office and commercial buildings into housing.
- Supports launching the Mayor’s Housing Affordability Task Force with tenant involvement.
- Supports protecting green spaces while encouraging thoughtful, balanced development.
- Supports strengthening partnerships with shelters and service providers.
- Supports building transitional housing with onsite counseling and case management.
- Aims to pursue state and federal mental health funding specifically for Fayette County.

Supports investing in community-focused policing and youth outreach programs.

For Candidate Ramazani Asmani on Issue public-safety:  
Supports expanding mental health crisis response teams for non-violent calls.

Supports expanding mental health crisis response teams for non-violent calls.

For Candidate Ramazani Asmani on Issue public-safety:  
Supports improving lighting, cameras, and environmental design in high-crime areas.

Supports improving lighting, cameras, and environmental design in high-crime areas.

- Supports investing in community-focused policing and youth outreach programs.
- Supports expanding mental health crisis response teams for non-violent calls.
- Supports improving lighting, cameras, and environmental design in high-crime areas.

Plans to launch a public “City Budget in Plain View” site to show residents exactly where tax dollars go.

Plans to hold monthly rotating town halls in every council district.

Plans to create a Youth Advisory Board to elevate high-school and college voices.

- Plans to launch a public “City Budget in Plain View” site to show residents exactly where tax dollars go.
- Plans to hold monthly rotating town halls in every council district.
- Plans to create a Youth Advisory Board to elevate high-school and college voices.

Supports making Lextran free to ride to help families save money.

Supports expanding Lextran routes and evening/weekend service, particularly in underserved areas.

For Candidate Ramazani Asmani on Issue transportation-and-infrastructure: Plans to fix sidewalks, potholes, and signals before launching expensive new projects.

Plans to fix sidewalks, potholes, and signals before launching expensive new projects.

Supports adding bike lanes and green corridors to connect neighborhoods.

- Supports making Lextran free to ride to help families save money.
- Supports expanding Lextran routes and evening/weekend service, particularly in underserved areas.
- Plans to fix sidewalks, potholes, and signals before launching expensive new projects.
- Supports adding bike lanes and green corridors to connect neighborhoods.

Supports small businesses through micro-grants and simplified permitting.

Supports attracting tech, green-energy, and skilled-trade jobs.

Supports a living wage standard for all city-contracted workers.

For Candidate Ramazani Asmani on Issue economy:  
Promises to expand local food and farmers-market programs.

Promises to expand local food and farmers-market programs.

- Supports small businesses through micro-grants and simplified permitting.
- Supports attracting tech, green-energy, and skilled-trade jobs.
- Supports a living wage standard for all city-contracted workers.
- Promises to expand local food and farmers-market programs.

Ramazani Asmani

Raquel Carter is from Lexington, Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky. She has a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Kentucky. She lives with her husband and two children in the Chevy Chase neighborhood. She attends Christ Church Cathedral.

Lexington mayoral candidate says city isn't doing enough - FOX 56

Longtime real estate expert hopes to be Lexington's next mayor

Raquel Carter launches 'Listen to Lexington' mayoral campaign tour

Raquel is the CEO and principal broker of Guide Realty, Inc. She works at Guide Realty, Inc., where she helps people become first-time homeowners and build wealth through homeownership.

As of March 25, 2026, Raquel Carter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports prioritizing affordable housing, starter homes, and multi-family units.

Believes in implementing a plan for building communities, not just units.

Supports reducing red tape for development.

- Supports prioritizing affordable housing, starter homes, and multi-family units.
- Believes in implementing a plan for building communities, not just units.
- Supports reducing red tape for development.

For Candidate Raquel Carter on Issue public-safety: Advocates for creating engaging opportunities for vulnerable groups at risk of violent situations.

Advocates for creating engaging opportunities for vulnerable groups at risk of violent situations.

- Advocates for creating engaging opportunities for vulnerable groups at risk of violent situations.

Supports ending the old way of doing things to lower costs, expand affordable housing, fix roads, and bring more industry and good jobs to the city.

- Supports ending the old way of doing things to lower costs, expand affordable housing, fix roads, and bring more industry and good jobs to the city.

Supports simplifying capital access for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Supports building a workforce development system that prepares residents for real, high-wage, high-demand careers.

Supports fully funding and expanding youth initiatives with proven success.

- Supports simplifying capital access for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Supports building a workforce development system that prepares residents for real, high-wage, high-demand careers.
- Supports fully funding and expanding youth initiatives with proven success.

Raquel Carter

Skip Horine lives in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Lafayette Senior High School.

Skip Horine - Ballotpedia

Skip is the chief technology officer at Deborah Ball Realty.

Skip Horine is the chief technology officer at Deborah Ball Realty and the president of Shyrock Construction Company.

Skip previously ran for Lexington mayor in 1993, 2010, and 2018.

Skip previously ran for and lost the race for Lexington mayor in 1993, 2010, and 2018.

As of March 25, 2026, Skip Horine did not have a website or any information online.

Skip Horine

As of March 25, 2026, Skip Horine’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 

Lexington Mayor

Election results

Candidates (7)