City

Louisville Metro Council

District 5

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Metro Council is Louisville Metro's legislative body: it passes local ordinances and the budget. Each of its 26 members represents one district; the odd-numbered districts are elected in 2026.

Nonpartisan; elected by the district's voters.

Candidates Compare by issue

Ray "Sir Friendly" Barker

No party listed

Retired Louisville Metro Police officer

The gist

Proposes a Highway 264 ramp at 34th and Broadway
Proposes programs for mental illness and homelessness
Pledges better communication between residents and police
Proposes initiatives to revitalize and rebrand West Louisville

More about Ray

View sources (1)

Proposes a Highway 264 ramp at 34th and Broadway
Ray Barker Metro Council
Campaign website · Ray Barker for Metro Council · raybarkerformetrocouncil.com
“Open up West Broadway by placing an On/Off ramp at 34th & Broadway (connected to Highway 264)”
Proposes programs for mental illness and homelessness
Ray Barker Metro Council
Campaign website · Ray Barker for Metro Council · raybarkerformetrocouncil.com
“Develop programs that cater to the mentally ill of our community … Develop programs to combat homelessness”
Pledges better communication between residents and police
Ray Barker Metro Council
Campaign website · Ray Barker for Metro Council · raybarkerformetrocouncil.com
“Bridge the lines of communication between the community and the police”
Proposes initiatives to revitalize and rebrand West Louisville
Ray Barker Metro Council
Campaign website · Ray Barker for Metro Council · raybarkerformetrocouncil.com
“Create new programs and initiatives to revitalize the community and strengthen the perception of West Louisville”

Donna Lyvette Purvis

No party listedIncumbent

Louisville Metro Council member (District 5)

The gist

Supports more surveillance cameras to catch illegal dumping
Supports rebuilding neighborhood block watch programs
Sponsored stricter standards for transitional sober housingIn office
Sponsored the "SAFE Law" ordinance on police department policiesIn office

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

More about Donna

View sources (2)

Supports more surveillance cameras to catch illegal dumping
Metro Council District 5 has one of the most contentious primaries. Get to know the candidates
News coverage · Louisville Public Media (LPM News) · May 14, 2026 · lpm.org
“she would continue to push for increased surveillance in District 5 in order to address the problem of illegal dumping … I need motion cameras”
Supports rebuilding neighborhood block watch programs
Metro Council District 5 has one of the most contentious primaries. Get to know the candidates
News coverage · Louisville Public Media (LPM News) · May 14, 2026 · lpm.org
“Purvis said she’s focused on rebuilding block watch programs”
Sponsored stricter standards for transitional sober housing
Metro Council District 5 has one of the most contentious primaries. Get to know the candidates
News coverage · Louisville Public Media (LPM News) · May 14, 2026 · lpm.org
“sponsored legislation to raise the standards for transitional sober housing programs and require clearboarding of vacant properties to prevent squatting”
Sponsored the "SAFE Law" ordinance on police department policies
O-009-26: Ordinance on police department policies (the Safety and Accountability for Everyone (SAFE) Law)
Government record · Louisville Metro Council (Legistar) · louisville.legistar.com
“TO BE KNOWN AS THE SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR EVERYONE (SAFE) LAW”

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.