City

City Commissioner, City of Owensboro

Vote for: 4
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 8
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: Four city commissioners, elected citywide, sit with the mayor on the Owensboro Board of Commissioners, which passes city ordinances and the budget.

Nonpartisan; vote for up to four.

Candidates Compare by issue

John Ross Martin

No party listed

Realtor

The gist

Supports prioritizing roads, sewers and public facilities
Supports aligning skilled-trades training with employer needs
Supports fiscally responsible infrastructure and energy improvements

More about John

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Supports prioritizing roads, sewers and public facilities
Martin seeking seat as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Jan 14, 2026 · owensborotimes.com
“If elected, Martin said he would prioritize strengthening core city services like roads, sewers, and public facilities.”
Supports aligning skilled-trades training with employer needs
Martin seeking seat as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Jan 14, 2026 · owensborotimes.com
“He also wants to support workforce development by aligning education and skilled trades programs with employer needs.”
Supports fiscally responsible infrastructure and energy improvements
Martin seeking seat as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Jan 14, 2026 · owensborotimes.com
“Martin said he supports a fiscally responsible approach to infrastructure and energy improvements, with an emphasis on public safety and economic stability.”

Tyler Goad

No party listed

Navy Junior ROTC instructor, Daviess County High School

The gist

Supports attracting more high-paying jobs to Owensboro
Supports a coordinated, partnership approach to homelessness
Supports closer working ties with county government

More about Tyler

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Supports attracting more high-paying jobs to Owensboro
Goad seeking seat on Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 21, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“I want to increase the amount of high-paying jobs, especially the ones that require higher levels of education”
Supports a coordinated, partnership approach to homelessness
Goad seeking seat on Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 21, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“There are a lot of people attacking it, but not a lot of people doing it in partnership. I find this piecemeal approach ineffective”
Supports closer working ties with county government
Goad seeking seat on Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 21, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“You actually need to be shaking hands with them, having lunch with them, discussing important topics”

Pamela L. Smith-Wright

No party listed

Former Owensboro city commissioner

The gist

Supports acquiring more land for economic development
Supports equal rights for every resident and taxpayer
Supports a city commission that reflects the community

More about Pamela

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Supports acquiring more land for economic development
Smith-Wright seeks return to Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 24, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“whenever we can find some property that we can use for economic development, it behooves us to do that”
Supports equal rights for every resident and taxpayer
Smith-Wright seeks return to Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 24, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“If you’re a citizen of this community and you pay taxes, then you should have all the same rights as anybody else.”
Supports a city commission that reflects the community
Smith-Wright seeks return to Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 24, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“I also feel that our commission needs to kind of look like our community.”

Steve Johnson

No party listed

Public policy professional and business owner

The gist

Proposes a platform centered on economic development
Supports neighborhood infrastructure, walkability and safety partnerships
Pledged a listening tour of public forums

More about Steve

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Proposes a platform centered on economic development
Johnson announces run for City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Dec 12, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“He said his campaign will focus on four pillars: economic development, neighborhood connectivity, trustworthy leadership, and building a future for families.”
Supports neighborhood infrastructure, walkability and safety partnerships
Johnson announces run for City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Dec 12, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Johnson also emphasized the importance of neighborhood infrastructure, walkability, clean environments, and public safety partnerships.”
Pledged a listening tour of public forums
Johnson announces run for City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Dec 12, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“He plans to launch a “listening tour” in early January, holding public forums to hear directly from residents about their needs and concerns.”

Jeff Sanford

No party listedIncumbent

Real estate advisor, Hartz Real Estate

The gist

Supports building infrastructure for the new industrial park
Supports accessory dwelling units and tiny homes for housing
Supports pausing new homeless shelters and rehabs for study

More about Jeff

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Supports building infrastructure for the new industrial park
Sanford to seek re-election as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“One of the biggest things I campaigned on last time was the industrial park, and we’ve now secured the property for that”
Supports accessory dwelling units and tiny homes for housing
Sanford to seek re-election as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“We’re looking at accessory dwelling units, smaller developments, and maybe even some tiny house concepts, just some things to create attainable housing”
Supports pausing new homeless shelters and rehabs for study
Sanford to seek re-election as Owensboro City Commissioner
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Sanford also noted the City’s move to place a moratorium on new homeless shelters and drug rehabs to assess how to better manage homelessness locally.”

Bob Glenn

No party listedIncumbent

Professor of communication, Owensboro Community College

The gist

Supports addressing affordable housing and youth-serving partnerships
Supports expanding tourism, downtown hotels and entertainment
Supports continued cooperation between city and county governments

More about Bob

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Supports addressing affordable housing and youth-serving partnerships
Primary Election Guide: candidate bios (PDF from the Owensboro Times' May 2026 primary guide)
News coverage · Owensboro Times · May 8, 2026 · cdn.owensborotimes.com
“key priorities include addressing affordable housing, strengthening partnerships with community organizations that serve youth, and maintaining cooperation between City and County governments”
Supports expanding tourism, downtown hotels and entertainment
Primary Election Guide: candidate bios (PDF from the Owensboro Times' May 2026 primary guide)
News coverage · Owensboro Times · May 8, 2026 · cdn.owensborotimes.com
“He also highlights efforts to expand the City’s economic and tourism footprint, including new downtown hotel investment, entertainment developments”
Supports continued cooperation between city and county governments
Glenn, Smith-Wright lead field as 8 advance in City Commission race
News coverage · Owensboro Times · May 20, 2026 · owensborotimes.com
“During the campaign, he highlighted economic development projects, tourism growth, affordable housing concerns, and continued cooperation between city and county governments as key priorities.”

Curtis Maglinger

No party listedIncumbent

Owner, Custom Audio-Video

The gist

Supports using the Colonel House property for affordable housing
Supports recruiting high-tech and advanced manufacturing jobs
Supports partnerships among city, county, business and schools

More about Curtis

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Supports using the Colonel House property for affordable housing
Maglinger announces re-election bid for Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“I think acquiring the Colonel House is going to give us a good opportunity to create affordable housing and innovative redevelopment”
Supports recruiting high-tech and advanced manufacturing jobs
Maglinger announces re-election bid for Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“we’ve got 120 acres on the west side of Owensboro ready for industrial growth — high-tech, advanced manufacturing, whatever we can bring here”
Supports partnerships among city, county, business and schools
Maglinger announces re-election bid for Owensboro City Commission
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Nov 18, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Owensboro succeeds when we work together — City, County, business, education, and citizens”

Sharon Gail NeSmith

No party listedIncumbent

General manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown

The gist

Supports Green River food warehouse project against food insecurity
Supports balancing immediate needs with fiscal responsibility
Pledges fact-finding and collaboration with affected residentsIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Sharon

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Supports Green River food warehouse project against food insecurity
Primary Election Guide: candidate bios (PDF from the Owensboro Times' May 2026 primary guide)
News coverage · Owensboro Times · May 8, 2026 · cdn.owensborotimes.com
“She says a strong example of her commitment is her support for the Green River Food Community Warehouse project, which aims to address food insecurity”
Supports balancing immediate needs with fiscal responsibility
Primary Election Guide: candidate bios (PDF from the Owensboro Times' May 2026 primary guide)
News coverage · Owensboro Times · May 8, 2026 · cdn.owensborotimes.com
“NeSmith says Owensboro benefits from her steady, solution-oriented style that balances immediate needs with fiscal responsibility and future planning.”
Pledges fact-finding and collaboration with affected residents
Commissioner Sharon NeSmith
Government record · City of Owensboro · owensboro.org
“As a Commissioner, Sharon’s objectives include: finding the facts, collaborating with impacted parties and ensuring everyone has information and a voice”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.