City

City Council, City of Fort Thomas

Vote for: 6
Candidates: 11
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A council member is one of the members of the city's legislative body, which adopts the city budget and ordinances.

Nonpartisan. Eleven candidates for up to six seats; the field was narrowed to twelve in the May 19, 2026 nonpartisan primary, and one of the twelve (Brandon Long) later withdrew.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mary Anne Brown

No party listed

Small business owner

The gist

Supports steady leadership and open communication with residents

More about Mary

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Supports steady leadership and open communication with residents
Mary Anne Brown: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“I believe in steady, responsible leadership, open communication, and a focus on the long-term well-being of the community.”

Ken Bowman

No party listed

The gist

Supports the proposed Grand Avenue road diet safety changes
Supports opening the south-end reservoirs to walking paths
Supports a simpler process for lowering side-street speed limits
Supports giving every council member equal voice in debate

More about Ken

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Supports the proposed Grand Avenue road diet safety changes
Ken Bowman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“The proposed Grand Avenue road diet safety enhancements.”
Supports opening the south-end reservoirs to walking paths
Ken Bowman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Re-engage with the water department about opening the south end reservoirs to walking paths.”
Supports a simpler process for lowering side-street speed limits
Ken Bowman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Advocate for a more logical process for speed limit reductions on many side streets”
Supports giving every council member equal voice in debate
Ken Bowman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“It would be a good thing if all members of council expressed opinions equally”

Steve Arey

No party listed

Compliance manager, financial industry

The gist

Supports efficient, transparent city processes
Supports preserving Fort Thomas's character while planning ahead

More about Steve

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Supports efficient, transparent city processes
Steve Arey: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“wants to help ensure city processes remain efficient, transparent and focused on the long-term interests of residents”
Supports preserving Fort Thomas's character while planning ahead
Steve Arey: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“I am running to help ensure the city preserves the character of Fort Thomas while preparing responsibly for the future”

Frances A. Hoffman

No party listed

The gist

Proposes curbing unneeded spending until the forensic audit ends
Supports public access to all city spending records

More about Frances

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Proposes curbing unneeded spending until the forensic audit ends
Frances Hoffman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“curtailing all unnecessary spending until the forensic audit is complete and the city finances are accounted for and completely balanced”
Supports public access to all city spending records
Frances Hoffman: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“allow citizens access to all city spending records”

Brandon Roller

No party listed

The gist

Supports careful, transparent management of city spending
Supports clearer communication and accountability on city decisions

More about Brandon

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Supports careful, transparent management of city spending
Brandon Roller: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Those dollars should be managed carefully, transparently and with a clear understanding of their long-term impact on taxes, infrastructure, services and growth.”
Supports clearer communication and accountability on city decisions
Brandon Roller: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“the city needs clearer communication, transparency and accountability around decisions that impact residents”

Allison Alessandro

No party listed

The gist

Supports more open public process on major developments
Pledges stronger accountability and transparency in city government

More about Allison

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Supports more open public process on major developments
Allison Alessandro: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“While the city may have legally met public notice requirements, I believe the process lacked true transparency.”
Pledges stronger accountability and transparency in city government
Allison Alessandro: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Her focus, she said, will be on strengthening accountability, increasing transparency”

Ben Pendery

No party listedIncumbent

Business risk manager, insurance agency

The gist

Supports efficient, transparent city operations

More about Ben

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Supports efficient, transparent city operations
Ben Pendery: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“the council's role in facilitating a transparent and effective operation that protects its people”

Lauren McIntosh

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

Supports a city government that listens to residents
Supports thoughtful growth and careful use of city resources

More about Lauren

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Supports a city government that listens to residents
Lauren McIntosh: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“I believe local government works best when it listens to its residents.”
Supports thoughtful growth and careful use of city resources
Lauren McIntosh: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“I believe in thoughtful growth, responsible stewardship of our resources, and keeping Fort Thomas a place where families and businesses can thrive”

Adam Blau

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

Pledges to keep asking hard questions on council

More about Adam

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Pledges to keep asking hard questions on council
Adam Blau: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Blau said he will continue to ask the hard questions and will ensure the community's voice is heard.”

Bradley Fennell

No party listedIncumbent

Fort Thomas business owner; real estate appraiser

The gist

Supports keeping Fort Thomas safe, vibrant and affordable

More about Bradley

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Supports keeping Fort Thomas safe, vibrant and affordable
Brad Fennell: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“committed to helping ensure Fort Thomas remains a safe, vibrant and affordable community”

Eric Strange

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

Supports careful budgeting to avoid burdening taxpayers
Supports clear public information on city spending decisions
Supports Fort Thomas police, fire and emergency services

More about Eric

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Supports careful budgeting to avoid burdening taxpayers
Eric Strange: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Careful budgeting and long-term planning help ensure that city investments strengthen the community without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.”
Supports clear public information on city spending decisions
Eric Strange: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Residents deserve clear information about how decisions are made, how projects are prioritized and how their tax dollars are being spent”
Supports Fort Thomas police, fire and emergency services
Eric Strange: LINK nky candidate profile
Candidate questionnaire · LINK nky · Apr 8, 2026 · linknky.com
“Public safety is one of his highest priorities.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.