City

Urban County Council At-Large, Lexington-Fayette

Vote for: 3
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 6
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Urban County Council adopts Lexington-Fayette's budget, creates policies and sets taxes. Its three at-large members represent all of Fayette County for four-year terms; the at-large candidate with the most votes becomes vice mayor.

Nonpartisan. Vote for up to three; the at-large candidate with the most votes becomes vice mayor.

Candidates Compare by issue

William Tate Ohmer

No party listed

Contractor

The gist

Proposes zoning and construction-law reforms for $250,000 homes
Proposes exploring local tax rebates for small businesses
Proposes merging duplicate city boards and commissions

More about William

View sources (1)

Proposes zoning and construction-law reforms for $250,000 homes
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“with reasonable reforms to our outdated zoning and construction laws, we can build the first $250,000 home in Lexington since 2024”
Proposes exploring local tax rebates for small businesses
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“For small businesses, I want to explore local tax rebates to create opportunities for growth.”
Proposes merging duplicate city boards and commissions
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will lead an initiative to merge duplicate committees and loosen too-strict educational requirements.”

Herbert Lynn

No party listed

Dispatcher and service coordinator (HVAC)

The gist

Supports rezoning within the urban service boundary for infill
Supports a permanent moratorium on hyperscale data centers
Pledges funding for a full-time homeless shelter
Opposes Flock license-plate cameras on city streets

More about Herbert

View sources (1)

Supports rezoning within the urban service boundary for infill
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will work to rezone areas within the urban service boundary to promote in-fill and additional housing.”
Supports a permanent moratorium on hyperscale data centers
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will also push for a permanent moratorium on hyperscale datacenters to prevent the energy bill increases they cause.”
Pledges funding for a full-time homeless shelter
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will secure funding for a full-time shelter for our unhoused neighbors.”
Opposes Flock license-plate cameras on city streets
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“work to keep invasive spy technology, like FLOCK cameras, off our streets”

Christopher Shafer

No party listed

Lexington city government supervisor

The gist

Pledges to fix roads, traffic signals and snow response
Opposes data centers in Lexington at this time
Supports growth only where infrastructure can handle it

More about Christopher

View sources (1)

Pledges to fix roads, traffic signals and snow response
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will focus on fixing roads, improving traffic flow and outdated traffic signals, and strengthening snow response and preparedness.”
Opposes data centers in Lexington at this time
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will oppose data centers at this time and demand greater transparency, accountability, and responsible spending of taxpayer dollars.”
Supports growth only where infrastructure can handle it
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will support responsible growth only when our infrastructure can handle it while protecting greenspace, farmland, and neighborhoods.”

Stephanie Aschmann Spires

No party listed

Founder and CEO, Spires Strategies

The gist

Proposes shortening the timeline from land purchase to shovel-ready housing
Supports investment in first responders and mental health
Supports expanding existing youth employment programs
Pledges to protect farms and preserve Lexington's history

More about Stephanie

View sources (1)

Proposes shortening the timeline from land purchase to shovel-ready housing
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“Working to reduce the timeline from purchase of land to shovel ready for housing projects”
Supports investment in first responders and mental health
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will advocate for investments in public safety, first responders, mental health, and community based solutions”
Supports expanding existing youth employment programs
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“expand youth employment programs that already exist to give our children alternative activities”
Pledges to protect farms and preserve Lexington's history
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I will work to protect our farms and preserve our city’s history while planning responsibly for future growth.”

James Brown

No party listedIncumbent

Urban County Council member (at-large); real estate professional

The gist

Proposes a comprehensive public infrastructure master plan
Supports grants and state partnerships for roads and sewers
Supports expanding job training and retaining local talent

More about James

View sources (1)

Proposes a comprehensive public infrastructure master plan
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I would focus on the further development of a comprehensive public infrastructure master plan that identifies our long-term needs and priorities.”
Supports grants and state partnerships for roads and sewers
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“identify and leverage funding opportunities through grants, state partnerships, and responsible local budgeting policies”
Supports expanding job training and retaining local talent
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“continue creating workforce opportunities by retaining local talent and expanding job training resources”

Dan Wu

No party listedIncumbent

Urban County Council member (at-large) and vice mayor; small business owner

The gist

Supports more housing and housing choice in Lexington
Led a medical debt relief effort for Fayette residents
Pledges more ways for the public to engage with council

More about Dan

View sources (1)

Supports more housing and housing choice in Lexington
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I want to help Lexington create more housing and housing choice so we can keep our college graduates”
Led a medical debt relief effort for Fayette residents
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I have spearheaded a medical debt relief effort that has so far relieved over $23 million in medical debt”
Pledges more ways for the public to engage with council
Vote Local Lexington: At-Large Councilmember
Candidate questionnaire · Vote Local Lexington (CivicLex) · lex.vote
“I have worked my entire first term to create more ways for the public to engage with our local government”

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; 8 issues covered in this race.