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City Council, City of Somerset

Ward 6

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

What this office does: The city council is Somerset's legislative body. Its twelve members are elected to two-year terms by all of the city's voters, one from each ward; each must live in the ward they represent.

Nonpartisan. Every Somerset voter votes on all twelve ward seats: the sample ballot prints them for the same precincts as the mayor's race.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Mike New

No party listed

The gist

  • Supports more transparency and careful use of city funds
More about Mike
View sources (1)

  1. Supports more transparency and careful use of city funds

    Meet the Candidates (May 2026 primary questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · Commonwealth Journal · May 2, 2026 · somerset-kentucky.com

    “More transparency to the citizens of Somerset. Work with the mayor and other council people to make sure our funds are used wisely”
Photo of Phyllis Orwin Lawson
Phyllis Orwin LawsonOfficial photo — City of Somerset

Phyllis Orwin Lawson

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

  • Proposes posting the city's accounts payable online
  • Proposes cutting the city council from 12 to 6 members
  • Proposes leasing The Virginia to a nonprofit to cut costs
  • Supports subsidizing a cab service for city residents
More about Phyllis
View sources (1)

  1. Proposes posting the city's accounts payable online

    Meet the Candidates (May 2026 primary questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · Commonwealth Journal · May 2, 2026 · somerset-kentucky.com

    “I would like to see the Accounts Payable posted on the City website, so that any citizen can find it easily”

  2. Proposes cutting the city council from 12 to 6 members

    Meet the Candidates (May 2026 primary questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · Commonwealth Journal · May 2, 2026 · somerset-kentucky.com

    “reduce both the number of administrative positions in city government, including the number of city council members from 12 to 6”

  3. Proposes leasing The Virginia to a nonprofit to cut costs

    Meet the Candidates (May 2026 primary questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · Commonwealth Journal · May 2, 2026 · somerset-kentucky.com

    “provide a triple net lease to a nonprofit for The Virginia”

  4. Supports subsidizing a cab service for city residents

    Meet the Candidates (May 2026 primary questionnaire)

    Candidate questionnaire · Commonwealth Journal · May 2, 2026 · somerset-kentucky.com

    “I feel a fraction of this money would be better spent to subsidize a cab service for the community”

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; 3 issues covered in this race.