LINK Kenton Reader SUPER ISSUE - Volume 4, Edition 22 - April 24, 2026
Meet the candidates vying for Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat p7
These candidates are challenging Thomas Massie p10
Judges/executive from two NKY counties are facing challengers p16
Make your voting plan earlywe’re here to help p19
Election Day FAQs in case you forgot something or need a link p22
It’s almost summer … that wonderful time with warm weather, kids with nothing to do, and friends and relatives looking for you to organize something fun.
Let’s say you only have one hour (or maybe three or six or even an overnight?), but you don’t even know where to start.
We’re here to help with the decision fatigue that can come along with simply identifying something to do. So we made it simple: How much time do you have?
Choose one of the categories based on how long you want your activity to be, close your eyes, point and voila! Decision made.
Flip to Page 24, where we've got suggestions for things you can do no matter how much time you have. Now the day's plans can be a surprise to everyone!
Local officials emphasize making your voting plan early so you're prepared on Election Day. Photo by Hayden Sendelbach | LINK nky
PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meghan Goth
SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison
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We spent months on this Voter Guide.
Here’s what we’re asking in return.
rooms across the river that mostly showed up when there was a crisis, and smaller local outlets that didn’t have the scale to cover a community of 400,000 people the way it deserved to be covered.
Four years later, we’re still here, still covering absolutely as much as we possibly can, from high school sports to the complex local elections that actually shape your dayto-day life. Absolutely no one else covers NKY elections as comprehensively as we
But we can’t do it without your help.
or how your money gets used, feel free to email me directly at lacy@linknky.com. Transparency is kind of our thing. Thanks for reading. Now go vote.
nalists who live in Northern Kentucky, cover Northern Kentucky, and care deeply about what happens here.
This Super Issue is our primary election guide — and we sent it to every single household in NKY. All 176,000 of them. Not just subscribers. Not just people who already follow local news. Everyone.
We did that because we think everyone deserves to be prepared to vote on May 19.
Here’s what went into making this happen: our reporters have spent months building candidate profiles, gathering voter information, and doing the kind of unglamorous but essential work that good election coverage requires. That means attending forums, making calls that don’t always get returned, reading through filings and pushing candidates to give you more than a talking point. It means showing up over and over again, for every competitive race, in every county.
And printing and mailing 176,000 copies of a newspaper is not cheap. Each batch of Super Issue costs more than $50,000 to print and mail. Super Issues like this one are both our most expensive product and our largest revenue stream — advertisers love the reach, and we’re grateful for that support.
But advertising alone doesn’t cover everything. The reporting — the actual journalism — is funded in large part by donations to the NKY Community Journalism Fund.
I want to be clear about what that fund does, because I believe in being transparent about our finances: money donated to the NKY Community Journalism Fund stays in NKY. It pays for reporters’ salaries, for the time they spend covering your school board and your city hall and your elections. It doesn’t go to Cincinnati. It doesn’t go to a corporate parent. It stays here.
We started LINK in 2021 because NKY wasn’t being served by the news ecosystem that existed — a combination of large news-
If this guide is useful to you — if you find yourself better prepared to vote because of something you read in these pages — please consider making a donation to the NKY Community Journalism Fund. Our average recurring monthly donation is $11.82. That’s it. A lot of people giving a small amount adds up to a newsroom that can keep showing up.
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If you'd like to support the work LINK is doing in Northern Kentucky, donate here All funds donated to the NKY Community Journalism fund stay in NKY to support public-interest journalism
SCAN ME!
By Meghan Goth
AIf more Northern Kentuckians knew
how much primaries matter, would more of them vote?
n average of 11% of people voted in the primary election in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in 2024.
Eleven percent.
Even though races you’ll be voting for on May 19 won’t necessarily be as sexy as a presidential or gubernatorial race, they’ll have a lot more impact on your daily life.
Voters will get the chance to weigh in on U.S. Senate and Congressional races, but it’s the local city and county races that Shane Noem, a lobbyist and the chair of the Kenton County Republican Party, said will have the biggest immediate impact on your life.
First, make sure you’re aware of the hyper-local issues, because those are the ones most likely to affect your everyday lives, Noem said.
“Cities and school boards raise taxes higher and faster and lower them faster than any other body of government,” Noem said.
Healthcare and education are two of the biggest issues that are on Kentuckians’ minds right now, Noem said.
“A lot of our elections are going to be focused on who can right the ship in a big way,” Noem said. “And the issues that matter the most to Kentuckians right now are health and education.”
So if you are focused on how those two things directly affect your family or those around you, this is a great way to make your voice heard.
Another thing to keep in mind in Northern Kentucky is just how many elected bodies there are. In just LINK nky’s coverage area, there are three counties, 13 school districts and 36 cities and municipalities.
Because of that fragmentation, one key is making sure that the people we elect into office in May work well together, said Trey Grayson, an attorney and former Kentucky secretary of state.
When it comes to things like housing, transportation and workforce, Grayson said, decisions about who is leading the county could have the biggest impact locally.
“I think that regionalism is going to kind of be on the ballot,” Grayson said.
Things like housing or transportation can’t be solved within city limits, so Grayson’s recommendation for voters is to pay attention to whether candidates prioritize regionalism and working together — or not.
“Housing doesn’t stop at a city or a county line,” Grayson said.
Right now, Grayson said, NKY has elected officials who work together pretty well to solve regional problems. If that is something voters want to continue, they will need to be aware of the priorities of who they are voting for.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in keeping counties more separate, that’s something to keep in mind at the polls as well.
“Making sure we are communicating that to the candidates, and then choosing candidates who prioritize those things,” Grayson said.
Then there’s AI. Yes, how you vote next year will affect that, too.
With U.S. Senate and Congressional races happening this year, along with state legislative seats up for grabs, whoever is voted
into office is going to be creating the policies that regulate AI in the years to come.
Because AI has been relatively ubiquitous thus far, Grayson said, there aren’t policies that currently exist. But they will need to be made in the coming years.
“Whoever wins these races, they’re going to be in the position to set some of these initial policies that have never existed before,” Grayson said.
Whose responsibility is it to get people to the polls?
Given the voter turnout by county in the 2024 primary (Campbell was 10.4%, Boone was 12.6% and Kenton was 9.7%, according to Kentucky’s State Board of Elections), what actually motivates people to go to the polls, and whose responsibility is it to get them there?
“Voters are typically motivated to turn out in higher numbers when things aren’t working,” Noem said. “In Kentucky, voters are quite happy with the Republican-led transformation of our state and region.”
So maybe people aren’t voting because they’re happy with how things are.
But could it also be because NKY residents aren’t aware of how important local races can be to voters’ everyday lives?
Maybe that’s the point, said University of Cincinnati professor of public and international affairs, Jeff Blevins.
“If you’re an incumbent, do you need voter turnout?” Blevins said.
Blevins has published two books about social media’s effect on the nation’s political landscape.
He said that as the country has become increasingly politicized, national politics have started to predominate everything. Combine that with social media, which allows politicians to directly reach their constituents without “receipts,” as Blevins said, and the need for local discourse on local TV and in local newspapers has been seen as largely unnecessary.
“Look at what’s happening nationally as well,” Blevins said. “There has been an on-
Here’s how we hope you can use this voter’s guide If there’s only a few elections you can spend your time thinking about, we’ve got the ones to keep an eye on.
Then, read short profiles for every candidate in those races. Any of the races that aren’t listed on these pages (let’s be honest — we’d have to quadruple the size of this paper to fit them all, and we can’t afford that) are available at LINK nky’s Election HQ at linknky.com/2026-nky-election-headquarters
We know readers are keeping a close watch on the race to fill Mitch McConnell’s seat and whether Ed Gallrein can get more votes than incumbent Thomas Massie.
There are also some much more local races that are getting a lot of buzz. You can find profiles for the candidates on those races here too.
Then there’s practical information like how to make your voter guide, how to navigate the polls on Election Day, and a list of important dates. Even if just a portion of this is helpful to you, we’ve done our jobs.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for allowing us to help make the election process easier to navigate in Northern Kentucky.
going discourse about how the elections are rigged and [illegal immigrants] are voting.”
So, Blevins said, it might make sense to create less awareness for people who are less likely to vote for you. All of that is happening in an increasingly polarized world in which there is a sense of preordainment as to the results of elections, he said.
To that end, people aren’t just fed vetted information about elections the way they were before social media became what it is. Because they get the information they want fed to them through algorithms, Blevins said there’s not as much of a recognized need to go seek the information out from sources directly.
But, Noem said, that’s an oversimplification of what’s happening in NKY.
“It’s worth noting that NKY has inflated voter rolls due to the thriving transient nature of our region,” Noem said. “Due to proximity to Cincinnati and CVG more people moving in and moving out at any moment, it takes time for voter registration to catch up with where they are.”
That, he said, skews the registration data several points each election compared to other regions around the state.
“We are likely on par or greater than the state average if you adjust for that transience that Louisville and Lexington don’t experience,” Noem said.
The decisions you make at the poll this year will do things like decide whether your taxes go up or down.
Photo provided | Ahmet Kurt via Unsplash
Jeff Blevins. Photo provided | University of Cincinnati
Shane Noem. Photo provided | Shane Noem
By Haley Parnell
THere are the biggest races to watch in NKY this year
he 2026 campaign season in Northern Kentucky won’t just decide who fills Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat or whether Thomas Massie keeps his congressional post — it could also reshape county leadership that has been steady for nearly three decades.
Currently, the big races to watch are the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and Boone and Campbell county judges/executive races. The primary election is held on May 19 and the general election is on Nov. 3.
Chairman of the Kenton County Republican Party Shane Noem said other than those three races, everything seems pretty much par for the course for 2026.
“I think most Northern Kentuckians are very satisfied with their local government, and a lot of the cities and counties have been lowering taxes or at least not raising them, even with economic uncertainty, and that bodes well for incumbents,” Noem told LINK nky.
Vice Chair of the Campbell County Democratic Party Brandon Long said that in 2026, people can expect to see a united Democratic party that puts up candidates, particularly for board of education and city council races locally and the U.S. House and Senate races.
“I think a lot of people are seeing what’s going on and are feeling the pain of things,” Long said. “I think that we’re going to see a whole new generation of candidates who have lived this struggle, they’re going to rise up, and they’re going to defend the programs that are getting cut.”
Boone and Campbell judges/ executive races
The judge/executive serves a four-year term and may be re-elected indefinitely.
Judges’/executive primary responsibilities are creating a county budget and administering the budget as approved by the fiscal court, oversight of the funds, appointing county personnel and forming relationships with organizations and industry leaders that support their county.
What to watch: Both Campbell County’s Steve Pendery and Boone County’s Gary Moore are facing challengers. They have both held their positions since the 1990s.
Current Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand is challenging Gary Moore, who has held his seat since 1998; in Campbell County, Alexandria Mayor Andy Schabell is challenging Steve Pendery, who has been in office since 1999.
Kenton County’s Kris Knochelmann is not facing a challenger this election. He has been in the position since 2015.
What are some of the local issues top of mind that candidates might push?
Noem said healthcare and education.
“There’s still a lot of meaningful work to be done,” he said. “I think a lot of our elections are going to be focused on who can right the ship in a big way. And the issues that matter most to Kentuckians are health and education.”
Long said that eliminating the income tax will be a hot-button issue at the state level, but said the biggest issue is struggling working families.
“I think the biggest problem is going to be that working families are going to experience the cuts that have been happening here in Kentucky at the state level, but also federally,” Long said. “The truth is that working families are getting crushed by the policies that right now favor the wealthy few.”
Continues on page 6
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell. Photo provided | Austin Anthony via Kentucky Lantern
Continued from page 5
One issue all candidates compete with is voter turnout. So, what can they do to engage voters in 2026?
“I think candidates should focus on the issues people are actually talking about,” Noem said. “Not the ones social media tells them are important. Just because a vocal minority is tweeting about it doesn’t mean it’s what people actually talk about at the dinner table.”
Regarding what Democrats need to do to win NKY, Long said he thinks Democrats have to get back to being the party that speaks about the dignity of work and the struggle of ordinary families.
“Particularly in red spaces that they don’t see Democrats often, people want leaders who understand what it’s like to juggle rent and groceries and health care, and also leaders who have the courage to stand up
and speak against the corporate interests,” he said.
In this issue, we included profiles of the candidates running in the contested primaries for Kenton County Fiscal Court, Boone County judge/executive and Campbell County judge/executive. We did not include the Kenton County judge/executive because there won’t be a primary for that race this year.
U.S. House
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, has held the 4th District seat since a special election in 2012.
President Donald Trump has publicly backed Massie’s primary opponent, Ed Gallrein. Gallrein even made an appearance at Trump’s March visit to NKY, making this one of the more watched primaries in the state and across the country.
The majority of the voters for the 4th Congressional District live in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, but the district also stretches into sections of Eastern Kentucky and much of the suburban counties surrounding Louisville.
Find out more about the candidates running for the 4th Congressional District in this issue.
U.S. Senate
A U.S. Senator from Kentucky is elected by the statewide vote, not by district or county; therefore, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties all vote on the same senatorial contest.
Why is this the race to watch? Incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell, who first took office in 1985, isn’t seeking re-election in 2026, creating an open seat.
Nineteen candidates are on the ballot.
You can read about the candidates vying for U.S. Senate in this issue as well.
We couldn’t fit all the contested races in this issue because there are just too many. To see any profiles in a contested race that aren’t listed here (and also the ones here, if you want to share them online) scan this QR code.
☑ Worked 18 years as a neonatal nurse, flight nurse, and founding Director of NKY Office Drug Control Policy.
☑ Leading voice in the fight against addiction and for expanded mental health care, for education choice, and for more affordable healthcare.
☑ Chair, House Health Services Committee; Judiciary Committee, Committee on Families & Children; Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board
☑ Married over 41 years, mother of 5 sons and grandmother of 5. ☑ Consistently supports PRO-LIFE, PROFAMILY VALUES; 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS; STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY; and ENDING INCOME TAXES & MEDICAID ABUSE.
Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, left, and Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. Photo provided | Wikimedia Commons
Ed Gallrein. Photo provided | Ed Gallrein
Meet the candidates for U.S. Senate
By Haley Parnell
For the first time in more than 40 years, Kentucky voters will choose a U.S. senator without Mitch McConnell on the ballot.
A U.S. senator from Kentucky is elected by the statewide vote, not by district or county; therefore, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties all vote on the same senatorial contest.
Incumbent Sen. McConnell, who first took office in 1985, decided not to seek reelection in 2026, creating an open seat. Open-seat races are often more competitive because there is no incumbent advantage, creating opportunities for both parties.
The outcome of this race could have national implications. Control of the U.S. Senate is often closely divided, and a single seat can influence which party sets the legislative agenda, confirms federal judges and shapes national policy. McConnell’s departure also marks the end of an era in Senate leadership, increasing attention on who will represent Kentucky moving forward.
For Northern Kentucky voters, the race will help determine decisions on issues like the economy, healthcare and infrastructure areas that directly affect local communities. As a result, the 2026 Senate race is not only a major political transition for Kentucky, but also a contest that could shape both state and national policy for years to come.
Kentucky typically votes Republican, but open races can create unpredictability. The last Democrat to win election to the U.S. Senate from Kentucky was Wendell Ford in 1992.
Seven Democratic Senate primary candidates and 12 Republican candidates are vying for their party’s nomination May 19. The winners of each party will face off in the general election on Nov. 3.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name and political party.
Republican Candidates
Andy Barr is an eighth-generation Kentuckian, a husband and father of four.
Barr said he loves the commonwealth with all his heart and has been blessed to represent Central Kentucky in Congress. He said he would be honored to represent all of Kentucky in the U.S. Senate.
Barr said he is running for the Senate because the American Dream is worth fighting for and Kentucky deserves a proven leader who will keep delivering results. Barr said he is the only candidate in this race who has helped President Donald Trump
pass the America First Agenda. Together, he said, they delivered the largest tax cut in American history, putting more money back into the pockets of Kentucky families.
"With President Trump back in the White House, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seal the border for good, unleash American energy like Kentucky coal and natural gas, rebuild our economy and restore common sense in Washington,” Barr said.
Daniel Cameron
Daniel Cameron did not respond to LINK nky's request to comment. This profile was compiled using reporting from Cameron's visit to Kenton County on Oct. 25, 2025.
Cameron is a former Kentucky Attorney General who served from 2019 to 2023 and was the 2023 Republican nominee for governor. He lost to Gov. Andy Beshear in the general election.
Cameron spoke at the Kenton County Republican Party Fall Fest in October 2025. During his remarks he said he entered the U.S. Senate race out of concern for his family and future generations. Cameron said he wants America to be a nation based on excellence, intelligence and integrity, not DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) principles.
“I’ve certainly been grateful to travel across the state over multiple campaigns to talk about the ideals that I think most of us hold in common, which is that we want a country that is based and built on merit and opportunity,” Cameron said at the Fall Fest. “I think about what the left has been trying to do here recently is to destroy merit and opportunity and replace it with diversity, equity and inclusion, and it is a progressive ideology that pervades absolutely everything.
Anissa Catlett
Anissa Catlett is a Northern Kentucky native and an alumna of Lloyd Memorial and Walton-Verona High Schools.
Catlett and her husband have been together for 35 years, and they have four children. For over 20 years, Catlett has built a successful and results-driven career in sourcing and supply chain management.
Though she now calls Central Kentucky home, she said her NKY roots run deep. Catlett said she is stepping up as a grassroots candidate for the U.S. Senate because she knows she will be the people's voice, representing them, not banks or corporations. Catlett said she believes the job of serving the people is a profound honor, one that requires constant engagement to stay
truly connected to everyday lives. She said Kentuckians deserve better than the disconnect they have experienced over the last 40 years, and they deserve more than the empty "sales pitches.”
She believes in a government that practices fiscal conservatism and respects the boundaries of limited government.
"My entire platform is my dedication to the U.S. Constitution," Catlett said. "I stand by it as a cohesive, indivisible foundation. I believe embracing one part while ignoring another violates its integrity as the supreme law of the land."
James D. Duncan
James D. Duncan is a professional farrier who holds a master's degree from St. John's College in Annapolis, Md. He lives in Versailles with his wife, an equine veterinarian, and his two daughters, who attend elementary school in Woodford County.
Duncan said he is an originalist, grounded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He said he views his candidacy as a return to Reagan. He sees the Republican Party fracturing from the free-market and family-first values that he said should be the party's cornerstones.
Duncan said that Americans should be debt-free in their prime earning years. He wants to transform tax traps that incentivize debt into tax incentives that leverage a portion of someone's pre-tax earnings toward major debt-trap categories: education, home and medical.
"America needs to transition from behemoth corporate subsidies that block free-market signals to supporting infrastructure that drives down input costs like electricity and fertilizer," Duncan said. "Low input costs will re-shore jobs and are the holistic solution for the affordability crisis. Fighting for horses, bourbon, farms and families means having comprehensive plans with implementation, such as driving down and stabilizing energy and fertilizer costs — not making vague promises."
Michael James Faris
Michael James Faris is a Kentucky businessman, U.S. Air Force veteran and aviation professional.
He is running for the U.S. Senate, he said, to bring a working-class, results-driven voice to Washington.
After serving his country as a helicopter mechanic in the Air Force, Faris built a career in aviation maintenance and went on to found PRIMEHAWX, a Kentucky-based company specializing in Blackhawk helicopter maintenance services and training. With nearly two decades of hands-on experience, he has created jobs, trained skilled
workers and said he understands firsthand the challenges facing small businesses and working families.
Faris is running on a platform focused on affordability, government accountability and economic growth.
He also said he supports expanding skilled trades and technical training programs to create higher-paying jobs across Kentucky. “I believe Kentucky families deserve leadership that reflects their values and understands their struggles, not politicians disconnected from everyday life,” Faris said. “My campaign aims to unite voters around practical solutions that lower costs, grow the economy and put Kentucky first.”
Valerie Frederick
Valerie "Dr. Val" Fredrick did not respond for comment. This profile was compiled using Fredrick's campaign website.
Fredrick has a Bachelor of Science degree in human biology and a Doctorate of chiropractic.
According to her campaign website she said she will represent Kentucky's men, women and children for Christian values, integrity and freedom.
Fredrick is facing Andy Barr, Daniel Cameron, Anissa Catlett, James Duncan, Michael Faris, Jonathan Holliday, Jimmy Leon, Nate Morris, A. Nick Shelley, George Washington and Donald Wenzel in the Republican primary on May 19.
Long-time incumbent Mitch McConnell is not seeking reelection.
On her website she said "Dr. Val" became her nickname as a 12-year-old volunteer candy striper at St. Francis Hospital.
According to her campaign website, Fredrick is also running for Calloway County judge/executive; however, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website, she has either withdrawn or been disqualified from that race.
Jonathan Holliday
Jonathan Holliday did not respond for comment. This profile was compiled using Holliday's campaign website.
Holliday began his 24-year military career on active duty as a Private First Class in the Infantry, according to his campaign website. Following his deployment to Iraq he started his civilian law enforcement career with the Lexington Police Department in 2009.
Holliday is married to his wife, Jessica, and they have three children: Justin, Joshua and Katherine. They have been residents of Mercer County since buying a farm there in 2011.
Andy Barr
Andy Barr. Photo provided | Barr campaign
Daniel Cameron. File photo | LINK nky
Anissa Catlett. Photo provided | Catlett campaign
James D. Duncan. Photo provided | Duncan campaign
Michael James Faris. Photo provided | Faris campaign
Valerie Frederick. Photo provided | Frederick campaign
Jonathan Holliday. Photo provided | Holliday campaign
Holliday is pro-Second amendment. He said on his website that the right to keep and bear arms is absolute. He wants to repeal the National Firearms Act and reform or eliminate the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Holliday is also pro-life, according to his website. He said abortion is wrong with few exceptions. He said the federal government should not be involved in the debate over abortion.
Holliday’s stance on election laws, according to his website, is that corruption is the number one problem and threat to the people of the United States and its government.
“Foreign influence and corporate money used to influence elections rob Americans of the power of their individual vote,” he said on his website. “Career politicians and elected federal officials are openly corrupt, showing contempt for the hardworking and honest citizens.”
Jimmy Leon did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was compiled using Leon's campaign website.
Leon was a Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in 2022.
He graduated from American Preparatory Institute, Texas, served in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1984 and reached the rank of Administrative Specialist 4.
His policy priorities and legislative focus, according to his campaign website, are border security, election integrity and education.
According to his website, Leon also supports a balanced budget amendment; supporting policies related to the protection of life; supporting efforts to strengthen domestic energy production; and supporting term limits for elected officials.
Nate Morris did not respond to LINK nky's request to comment. This profile was com-
piled using reporting from Morris' visit to Kenton County on Oct. 25, 2025.
Morris is an entrepreneur in the waste management industry from Morgan County.
Morris spoke at the Kenton County Republican Party Fall Fest in October 2025. A focus of his remarks at the event was his criticism of career politicians.
Morris said he met Vice President JD Vance about a decade ago, and they bonded over their similar upbringings. In 2023, Vance encouraged him to consider running for the U.S. Senate, noting that McConnell might retire. Morris initially said he hesitated because he was focused on his business and his family, but Vance and the late rightwing influencer Charlie Kirk persuaded him that the country needed outsiders who would support Trump and reject career politicians.
Morris criticized McConnell, saying he has betrayed conservative values and Trump by blaming him for Jan. 6 and opposing his nominees. He said that McConnell represents a failed political establishment that has dominated Kentucky for over 40 years.
“If you want something that stands with MAGA (Make America Great Again) and stands with our president, and that’s willing to shake it up and provide a new perspective, an outsider’s perspective, and someone who’s not a career politician who doesn’t need the job, that’s what our campaign is all about,” Morris said at the fall fest.
Andrew “Nick” Shelley
Andrew "Nick" Shelley did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was compiled using Shelley's Ballotpedia profile and the Hardin County Republican Party of Ky. Facebook page.
Andrew “Nick” Shelley is from Morehead, Kentucky.
He earned a Bachelor's degree from Morehead State University in 2006, according to his Ballotpedia.
According to the Hardin County Republican Party of Ky. Facebook page, Shelley is a farmer and a dump truck driver. His family owns a small agricultural sales and country store business. He is a volunteer firefighter and has been a correctional officer, a social service worker and police telecommunicator (dispatcher) for Kentucky State Police.
Hardin County Republican Party Facebook said Shelley is a Mason and a Shriner, and is a Christian, husband and father to four children.
George Washington
George Washington said he is running for U.S. Senate because the country has been sold out by the criminally corrupt two-party system of self-serving and special-interest-serving government.
He said that the only thing worse than a one-party system is a two-party system that operates under the guise of choice, while perpetually dividing the nation, enriching the corpocracy and burying the future under debt.
He said that former first U.S. President George Washington believed that political parties and large standing armies could destroy the nation, and that John Adams believed there were two ways to enslave a nation — one by the sword, and one by debt. Washington quoted Thomas Jefferson, “I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of the moneyed corporations, that have already challenged our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to our laws.”
Donald Wenzel
Donald Wenzel did not respond to requests for comment. Wenzel does not have a campaign website or Facebook page and does not appear to
have any information or photographs available online.
Democratic Candidates
Charles Booker
Charles Booker did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was compiled using information from Booker's campaign website.
Booker is a lifelong resident of Louisville’s West End.
He was the first in his family to graduate from law school and later worked in roles across Kentucky state government. Booker served as director of administrative services for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he worked with communities across the state.
In the “why I’m running” section of his campaign website, Booker said now more than ever, people need leadership that is committed to the work of ending generational poverty and uprooting structural racism, delivering on system-changing policies like Medicare for All, universal basic income, reparations and universal child care.
Booker said people need leadership that prioritizes humanity, and won’t look away while marginalized communities are demonized, criminalized and torn apart by government sanctioned violence from the war on drugs and agencies like ICE.
“The current White House is abysmal,” Booker said on his campaign website. “They have failed to show up for regular people at every possible turn, sold us out coming and going, tanked the economy we were already getting pummeled by, trampled on our rights and freedoms, and only made the swamp worse. While it is critical that we push back on these wannabe kings and bring accountability to Washington, the movement has always been bigger than the hate we stand against. I am running for Senate, because I know Kentucky is worth fighting for.”
Joshua Blanton, Sr.
Joshua Blanton, Sr. did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was com-
Jimmy Leon
Nate Morris
Andrew “Nick” Shelley. Photo provided | Shelley campaign
Jimmy Leon. Photo provided | Leon campaign
Nate Morris. Photo provided | Morris campaign
George Washington. Photo provided | Washington campaign
Charles Booker. Photo provided | Booker campaign
piled using information from the Campbell County Democratic Party Facebook and Blanton's campaign website.
Joshua Blanton, Sr. is a U.S. Army veteran and advocate running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.
Blanton, Sr. according to the Campbell County Democratic Party Facebook, is stepping up to bring bold leadership and accountability to Washington, standing up for everyday Kentuckians and pushing back against corruption and extremism.
“I am Trump's enemy within and I will always resist felon 47,” Blanton Sr. said on his campaign website.
Logan Forsythe did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was compiled using information from his campaign website and previous coverage.
Forsythe is a former Secret Service agent, attorney and first-generation college graduate.
Forsythe lives in Lexington with his wife, Brittany, and their two kids: Maddox and Maggie.
According to his campaign website, he attended the University of Kentucky, earning a degree in biology, and went on to Law School at the University of Northern Kentucky. Forsythe accelerated his law education to graduate in a year and a half instead of the usual three, so he could better provide for his newborn son.
Out of law school, he was recruited to work at the Department of Defense, allowing him to fulfill his dream to serve his country. Forsythe was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, working on acquisitions and contract negotiations related to the armed forces.
“Make sure you’re voting for the right person who has lived a regular Kentucky experience, who knows what the average middle class person is going through and wants to help you with that,” Forsythe said at a Boone County Democratic Women’s Club Forum on March 21.
Amy McGrath
Amy McGrath is a Kentuckian who has dedicated her life to serving her community and country.
McGrath said she is running for the U.S. Senate because Kentucky needs leadership ready to solve problems on day one. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, McGrath served for 20 years as a pilot and weapons systems officer. During her career, she also worked on national security policy as a Congressional Fellow on Capitol Hill and in the Pentagon. She has worked with the Department of State, the CIA and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
"I am running to champion Kentucky families and address the issues they are facing, including rising costs for groceries, housing and health care," McGrath said. "My campaign focuses on pushing back against tariffs that tax Kentucky farmers, businesses, and families, lowering health care costs by restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies and protecting rural hospitals across the commonwealth."
She said the values that shaped her military service, duty, accountability and putting country over party are the same values she would bring to the U.S. Senate.
McGrath now lives in Fort Mitchell with her husband, Erik Henderson, a retired Navy commander, and their three children: Teddy, George and Eleanor. When she's not on the campaign trail, you can catch her on the soccer field as "coach," or on a family hike with her two dogs, Oscar and Olive.
Dale Lewis Romans
Dale Lewis Romans did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was com-
piled using Roman's campaign website.
Romans is a thoroughbred trainer by trade and his campaign website calls him an “independent Democrat.”
Romans has had 12 horses race in the Kentucky Derby. He garnered over 2,250 career wins, including victories in the Preakness Stakes and the Travers Stakes.
According to his campaign website, Romans is running for U.S. Senate because Kentucky needs leadership that reflects its people.
His vision for Kentucky, according to his website, is built on common-sense values: expanding economic opportunity, investing in public education and job training, protecting Kentucky industries from overregulation and trade policies, and defending the rights and freedoms of individuals.
"Dale knows there’s a lot riding on this election," his campaign website said. "Kentucky has a choice: more of the same in Washington, or a candidate who has built a career the hard way, understands everyday struggles, and is ready to win for working families with the same relentless energy he brought to every racetrack in America."
Pamela Stevenson
Pamela Stevenson did not respond to requests for comment. This profile was compiled using Stevenson's campaign website.
Stevenson currently serves as Kentucky House Minority Floor Leader and is in her third term in the Kentucky House representing District 43, part of Jefferson County.
Stevenson served in the Air Force as a JAG attorney for 27 years. She holds the rank of Colonel and has served the USA around the world from negotiating hostage crises, prosecuting child sex criminals, violent crimes and more.
Stevenson is from Louisville, a wife of more than 40 years, a mom to two children and a minister in her family church. She is also an award-winning quilter.
“Stevenson regularly is the only member to break through to Republican leadership (who hold a supermajority) to make the bad bills better,” according to her campaign website. “Stevenson works for veterans, families, children, LGBTQ+, women’s rights and many other groups in the legislature.”
Vincent Anthony Thompson
Vincent Anthony Thompson raises beef cattle and goats on his family farm in Rineyville, Kentucky.
Thompson said that his top priority as U.S. Senator would be to get insurance out of healthcare and back into the business of reimbursing healthcare providers. That priority comes after his wife (33) died in October 2020 due to complications with congestive heart failure. He said insurance providers were never meant to be a barrier in health care, but due to lobbying and legislation, they have obtained the ability to override the trained professionals, all for the sake of shareholder value.
His second priority, he said, is to continue the work that has occupied his professional life, maintaining the conservation of water and soil.
"Water conservation is vital to the health of both our environment and population," Thompson said. "Properly managing our water sources leads to a healthier community. By proxy, this protects our soil from wasteful runoff. Managing financial and physical resources applied to our soil creates a healthier food supply while protecting our waterways."
Dale Lewis Romans. Photo provided | Romans campaign
Vincent Anthony Thompson. Photo provided | Thompson campaign
Pamela Stevenson.
Meet the NKY candidates for U.S. House of Representatives
By Kenton Hornbeck
The current U.S. representative for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District is Republican Thomas Massie, who has held the seat since a special election in 2012.
President Donald Trump has publicly backed Massie’s primary opponent, Ed Gallrein. Gallrein even made an appearance at Trump’s March visit to Northern Kentucky, making this a primary many are paying attention to in the state and across the country.
In addition, the race features two Democratic newcomers: Melissa Strange and Jesse Brewer.
The majority of the voters for the 4th Congressional District live in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, but the district also stretches into sections of Eastern Kentucky and much of the suburban counties surrounding Louisville.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name and political party.
Republican Candidates
Ed Gallrein
Former Navy SEAL and Army Ranger Gallrein is the Republican challenger to Massie.
Launching his campaign last October, Gallrein tabbed himself as a close ally of Trump, contrasting himself with Massie, who has publicly clashed with Trump on various issues. Upon entering the race, Trump officially endorsed Gallrein. Gallrein later joined Trump onstage during the president’s visit to Hebron in early March.
Gallrein’s only previous electoral experience was an unsuccessful primary run for the District 7 seat in the Kentucky State Senate, where he narrowly lost to now-Sen. Aaron Reed.
Politically, Gallrein reads as a traditional MAGA conservative, sharing many of the same policy goals as Trump. On his campaign website, Gallrein describes his platform as “America First” by emphasizing tax cuts, reduced federal regulations and curbing government spending as a hedge against inflation.
Regarding immigration policy, Gallrein advocates increased border enforcement by completing construction of the southern border wall and expanding funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Gallrein also identifies as anti-abortion, describing himself as pro-life and support-
ing policies that restrict abortion access.
Gallrein has been openly critical of Massie’s past criticisms of Trump, calling the congressman a “Benedict Arnold” — an idiom used to describe someone as a traitor or turncoat — while at a February campaign with Rep. Andy Barr in Wilder.
Critics of Gallrein have questioned his experience and political independence, citing his previous electoral loss. Furthermore, the Massie campaign has released attack ads branding Gallrein as “woke,” a label he categorically denies.
Professionally, Gallrein served for 30 years in the military, deploying across the globe from Central America to the Middle East. Throughout his tenure, Gallrein received four Bronze Stars, including the Combat Parachute Badge, along with two Presidential Unit Citations. Later on, Gallrein worked as an executive coach and public speaker.
Gallrein, who is originally from Simpson County, currently lives on a large farm in Shelbyville outside of Louisville.
Thomas Massie
Massie is the long-standing incumbent of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
First elected in 2012 after a yearlong stint as the Lewis County Judge/Executive, the Garrison, Ky. native is an ideological libertarian and an ally of Sen. Rand Paul.
In Congress, Massie is known for his libertarian-leaning positions, especially on fiscal and foreign policy, reducing federal spending and protecting civil liberties like gun rights. Massie has consistently advocated for reducing the overall size and scope of the federal government, voting against large spending bills introduced by both Democrats and Republicans.
Although many of Massie’s legislative proposals do not become law, his influence in Congress mainly comes from helping shape the debate. Some of his recent legislative efforts include introducing the National Constitutional Carry Act, which addresses federal gun policy; the PRIME Act, which aims to reduce regulations on small-scale meat processing; and ongoing efforts to increase transparency at the Federal Reserve, often called “Audit the Fed” by libertarian groups.
Massie sets himself apart from other Republican members by challenging Trump on several of his legislative priorities. Although Trump usually has strong support from congressional Republicans, Massie has publicly broken with the president on multiple high-profile issues.
Massie was one of just two congressional Republicans to oppose the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, the Trump administration’s flagship legislation for that year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Massie drew Trump’s ire by verbally opposing the CARES Act, in addition to voting against the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act and the $2.3 trillion Omnibus COVID Relief package on the grounds that it was fiscally irresponsible.
Moreover, Massie was the only Republican co-sponsor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and publicly advocated for releasing the files. The bill was ultimately signed into law.
Outside of his congressional duties, Massie, an MIT-trained engineer, spends time on his farm in Lewis County with his wife and four children. Before entering politics, he was an entrepreneur who founded SensAble Technologies, Inc. in 1993. He sold the business in 2003.
Democratic Candidates
Brewer is a Democrat running for office for the first time.
Brewer, originally from Gallatin County, is a current resident of Villa Hills. Prior to seeking office, he worked in inventory and operations management, where he oversaw teams across multiple states, managing large workforces and traveling extensively.
He graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2025 with a degree in business management, completing his education after initially leaving school due to financial constraints.
Brewer decided to run for office after experiencing personal trauma related to his health. In 2024, Brewer was diagnosed with cancer. While seeking treatment, he said he encountered significant barriers navigating the health care system, including disputes with his insurance provider over treatment coverage.
Frustrated, he paid for his treatment out of his own pocket. He said his experience exposed him to systemic issues within the health care system, which ultimately motivated him to run.
Brewer’s campaign is largely focused on health care, economic inequality and widening political division. Brewer told LINK that nky wants to address income and cost-of-living disparities as key concerns and has argued for policies that address gaps between higher- and lower-income workers. Brewer hopes to reduce political polarization, instead focusing on shared community interests.
As a self-described “real Kentuckian,” Brewer is a working-class native of the state who depends on federal programs like Social Security and Medicaid. Brewer said this experience could help him offer a unique perspective in Congress.
Brewer credited his leadership development to his time in the Boy Scouts, where he spent over a decade as a child and adolescent.
Brewer described himself as accessible, encouraging his constituents and potential voters to reach out to him, either in person or over the phone.
Melissa Strange
Strange, a Democrat, is a first-time candidate running in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District.
Stange is a lifelong resident of NKY and a graduate of Dixie Heights High School, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University. Strange lives in Erlanger with her husband and has two sons. Currently, she works as a director of supply chain management at Archer Daniels Midland in Erlanger.
Strange told LINK nky she decided to run for office due to a long-standing interest in government, as well as concern over growing frustration about nationwide political division. As a candidate, Strange has framed herself as a community-first pragmatist focused more on problem-solving than partisan conflict.
Strange said she had heard complaints for years from community members dissatisfied with Massie’s tenure, who believed he was not always acting in the best interests of the people in his district.
On policy, Strange’s main focus is tackling the affordability crisis, including rising costs for housing, groceries and daily expenses. She also considers rising health care costs a crucial issue, particularly in rural areas where hospital closures could negatively affect local communities. Strange said she feels the federal government could better allocate taxpayers’ dollars by investing in initiatives to help restore the middle class, which she believes is slipping away due to a widening wealth gap.
Education is another central focus of Strange’s campaign, as she advocates for increased public education funding and early childhood programs like expanded pre-K access. Strange plans to draw on her experience as a former academic team coach by using mental models from ‘Future Problem Solving’ competitions to properly identify the root causes, evaluate solutions and select the best option.
More broadly, she has framed her priorities on improving quality of life, arguing for policies that extend beyond basic service access and instead promote long-term economic stability and upward mobility.
Jesse Brewer
Thomas Massie. Photo provided | Massie campaign Ed Gallrein. Photo provided | Gallrein campaign
Meet the candidates for Kenton County Commissioner
By Nathan Granger
Kentucky county governments are extensions of the state government that operate at a more localized level.
County governmental operations are carried out by fiscal courts, which, in spite of their names, have no judicial role. Instead, they exercise legislative and executive power, similar to a city council or the general assembly.
County governments have several roles, namely to provide essential public services, including infrastructure, road maintenance, parks, jails and animal control.
Counties also administer elections (note: Fiscal courts themselves do not administer elections; that duty falls to county boards of election), keep important records, and collect and allocate tax funding for the aforementioned public services. Other services, such as law enforcement dispatch services, are also administered at the county level.
These are the candidates who will appear on the ballot in May. Additional candidates are running, but are not subject to the primary.
Candidates subject to the May primary are listed below. Those who will appear on the November ballot can be found at linknky. com/2026-nky-election-headquarters.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name
District 2 Republican candidates
Sherry Goodridge
Sherry Goodridge is one of two Republican candidates for Kenton County commissioner in District 2, the county’s largest district, which covers much of the southern half of the county. (Note: Although commissioners’ seats are divided into districts, they are elected at-large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them.) She will face fellow Republican Jeff Niceley in the May primary. Whoever wins that race
will face off against Democrat Benjamin Bach, who does not have a primary opponent, in the general election.
Originally from Eastern Kentucky, Goodridge has lived in the Northern Kentucky region for about 20 years. She lives with her husband in Independence and works in the financial services industry. She’s been active in local politics for a while: She’s the vice chair of the Kenton County Republicans Executive Committee and served as the president of the Kenton County Republicans Women’s Club from 2020 to 2023. She also serves as an appointed member of the Kenton County Police Merit Board
“Some of my friends call me a political nerd,” Goodridge told LINK nky. “Really, I just like to know what’s going on.”
Goodridge was among the first candidates to announce her intention to run and said she spent a good year or so researching the commissioner position before finally deciding to run. A campaign announcement from June 2025 states that her campaign will focus on “delivering essential services while avoiding unnecessary government expansion, over-regulation and excessive taxes.”
Goodridge argued her professional background in finance would enable her to manage the county’s budget well, spot operational inefficiencies and think critically about policy.
Goodridge commended the economic development initiatives the current fiscal court has spearheaded but believed that incentives and initiatives could be expanded to small, family-owned businesses outside of the urban core. She also advocated for reform of the taxation structures for seniors with limited incomes, although she admitted this would require work with state legislators. Housing and transporta-
tion were also broader issues the county needed to “dial in on,” she said.
She concluded by saying she’s looking forward to meeting more people and learning about their concerns and perspectives.
“That’s my focus right now, is trying to get to know them better…,” Goodridge said. “I don’t just want to take my perspective.”
Jeff Niceley
Jeff Niceley is one of two Republican candidates for Kenton County Commissioner in District 2, the county’s largest district, which covers much of the southern half of the county. He will face fellow Republican Sherry Goodridge in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against Democrat Benjamin Bach, who does not have a primary opponent, in the general election.
Niceley graduated from Lloyd High School in Erlanger and started his business, Niceley’s Heating, Cooling and Appliance Repair, while still in college at the University of Kentucky, where he eventually earned a degree in marketing. He still lives in Erlanger. His sister, Diana Niceley, is an Erlanger City Council member and mayoral candidate. He is active in animal rescue efforts and is a certified pet therapy specialist who regularly visits senior centers to provide therapy. This will be his first foray into politics.
When asked what he hoped to accomplish if elected, Niceley said he hoped he could serve as a general voice for the people, noting that many of the residents he’s spoken to already “feel like they’re not being listened to.” He said he hoped to make himself available and even pitched regular town hall meetings where residents could voice their concerns.
One specific issue that’s come up repeatedly in conversations, Niceley said, is the county’s Site Readiness Initiative, or SRI, which aims to inventory county land for potential development in the future. The initiative has proven unpopular among some of the residents in the south of the county, and Niceley said people “feel like they weren’t heard at some of the town hall meetings that the fiscal court had.”
When asked directly if he was in favor of the SRI, Niceley said he’s “not in favor of it the way that it’s been presented so far,” although he qualified that statement by saying there needed to be a “balance” between development and rural land preservation.
One county initiative he was in favor of was the new Kenton County Park Project, which will see roughly 225 acres of land converted into a park.
“I’m just a regular guy that wants to give back to the community,” Niceley said.
District 3 Democratic candidates
Jordan T. Baldridge
Jordan Baldridge is one of a packed field of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in district 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. He will face Democrat John Busse in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against whomever wins the Republican primary, either Richard “Scott” Kimmich, Rebecca Reckers or Matthew Hayden, in the general election.
This will be the first time that Baldridge is running for elected office. He grew up in Campbell County but lives in Lakeside Park with his wife and child. He has a B.A. in political science and currently works in IT. Baldridge told LINK nky that he was motivated to get into politics by what he characterized as the overall erosion of privacy and rights in American life from both parties.
For instance, even though he’s running as a “very progressive,”Democrat, he said, he’s explicitly come out in favor of the Second Amendment and even pitched the idea of a county-run gun club where people could learn about local laws related to guns and constitutional rights around gun ownership generally.
Additionally, he expressed concern about the possibility of AI data processing centers getting established in county, even though he himself sometimes used AI in his job.
“I love how beautiful it is here,” Baldridge said. “I grew up going into the woods behind our our yard. I love driving through Kentucky and just seeing all the trees and forests and all the lands we have, and I want to protect that.”
Other local priorities Baldridge pointed to included updating the county’s online financial transparency portal, which was set up to give residents easy access to the county’s financial data but was inoperable when LINK nky wrote this profile. Overall, he expressed a greater desire for transparency and accessibility from local officials.
“That’s how I look at the American citizen, the Kenton County citizen — they’re the boss,” Baldridge said. “They’re the manager. They just need the information. If you give them the information, then they can make an informed decision.”
John Busse
John Busse is one of a packed field of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of Continues on page 14
Jordan Baldridge. Photo provided | Jordan Baldridge
the county. He will face Democrat Jordan Baldridge in the May primary. Whoever wins that primary will then face the winner of the Republican primary, either Richard “Scott” Kimmich or Matthew Hayden, in November.
This will be the first time Busse has run for office in Kentucky, although he said he had done some zoning work in Green Township, Ohio, in the past. In an interview with LINK nky, Busse said he’d spent much of the last 20 years as an Independent but decided to join the Democrats because “the Republicans seem to have things pretty well sewn up.” He currently serves on the Executive Committee for the Kenton County Democrats.
Busse graduated with Bachelor of Science in industrial design in 1972 and founded a business, which is still operating, in 1985. He touted his experience overseeing a business, working with vendors, managing relationships, as well as procuring services and products as a good primer for working on the fiscal court.
“That’s where I think I can bring the most benefit to Kenton County — to the people of Kenton County — is with my business background since it has been built upon relationships with not only small employers but large employers, not only with small clients, but with large clients,” Busse said.
He advocated for a thoughtful approach to development, especially development that occurred on the east and west sides of Interstate 75.
“And if there’s not a plan, and if the residents who are adjacent to that are not in favor of it, there has to be a realistic view as to what’s going on,” Busse said.
Overall, he advocated for more community involvement in development initiatives and development planning.
He also came out in favor of expanding the county’s parks, which he thought would have the long term effect of attracting jobs
and development, which would conceivably be drawn to the leisure space.
“I think that the people of Kenton County would benefit by a change in the leadership here,” Busse said. “The bottom line for every citizen in Kenton County: I would try to make this a better place.”
District 3 Republican candidates
Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden is one of a packed field of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. He will face Republicans Richard “Scott” Kimmich and Rebecca Reckers in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against whomever wins the Democratic primary: either Jordan Baldridge or John Busse.
This will be the first time Hayden has run for elected office. He’s lived in the region for about 10 years and earned his law degree by attending Chase College’s evening program while working for a software company. He currently lives in Villa Hills with his wife and three kids. Law school, he said, was where he first got interested in local politics.
“I really wanted to get involved in the local side of things because that’s where a lot of changes, I think, are more accessible for people,” Hayden said. “It’s very important to be involved in local politics.”
He was a member of the Young Republicans in law school, as well as the local branch of the Federalist Society, although he said he’s less active in Federalist Society activities these days. “I really believe that young people who are involved with their community and involved in politics, they really should step up and really try to have a seat at the table and impact the next generation.”
Hayden emphasized smart and controlled economic development, saying that it was important to keep “the momentum going.” He also expressed general support for the
county’s first responders and for maintaining county infrastructure. He called this election an “inflection point,” given that incumbent Joe Nienaber is stepping away from public life.
“I think if you look over the past 10, 20 years, the county has made a lot of progress,” said Hayden. “It’s in a really, really good spot… If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Try to stay focused on the things that are working, without trying to shake up the snow globe too much.”
Richard ‘Scott’ Kimmich
Richard “Scott” Kimmich is one of a packed field of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. He will face Republicans Rebecca Reckers and Matthew Hayden in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against whomever wins the Democratic primary: either Jordan Baldridge or John Busse.
Kimmich works in real estate and has had a long career in politics, both at the local and state levels. Most recently, he served as the Republican representative on the Kenton County Board of Elections, a position he resigned from last summer after occupying the position for 11 years.
He served as Kenton County Deputy Judge from 1999 to 2010. He was the Kenton County representative on the District Board of Health for six years and served as chair of the board in 2024 and 2025. He has also served in administrative and appointed positions at both the local and the state level.
“I’m entering this race to expand the debate from buzzwords like ‘restoring fiscal responsibility,’ transparency’ and the ‘elimination of waste,’” Kimmich said. Kimmich later contrasted such “political platitudes,” as he put it, with more “specific” policy ideas and proposals.
“Public service should be about policies and ideas, not political platitudes,” Kimmich said. He also stated that he would be releasing a series of policy papers in the coming months, laying out what he hopes to accomplish if elected and “develop a narrative based on ideas.” He gave an example after filing in November.
of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. She will face Republicans Richard “Scott” Kimmich and Matthew Hayden in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against whomever wins the Democratic primary: either Jordan Baldridge or John Busse.
Reckers has an MBA from Northern Kentucky University and has a professional background in regulatory compliance, risk management and oversight. Politically, she’s known largely from her time on the Erlanger City Council. She will conclude her fourth term on the city council this year. During her time on the council she founded the city’s Small Business Task Force, where she served as the chair. She also served as the chair of the city’s Ad Hoc Budget Committee. She’s active in the Kenton County Republican Women’s Club and has served on the executive committee of the Kenton County Republican Party since 2016.
“I’m not a career politician,” Reckers told LINK nky. “I bring a private-sector mindset to public service that is focused on results, accountability and smart planning. My priorities include fiscal responsibility, strong public safety, business advocacy and policies that improve the quality of life for every generation.”
Per her statement, Reckers is campaigning on financial accountability and smart, controlled economic development, an issue that comes up frequently at the fiscal court. “Economic growth should strengthen existing businesses and neighborhoods, protect property rights and community character, and promote long-term stability without burdening taxpayers,” she said.
She’s also come out in favor of parks expansion, wellness initiatives and resources for senior citizens to “remain active [and] independent.” She also expressed general support for the region’s first responders.
Finally, Reckers advocated for a greater array of what has come to be known as “income-aligned housing,” which refers to housing that’s appropriately accessible for all income levels. “As commissioner, I’ll support aligning infrastructure priorities that unlock housing options for working families, young professionals and seniors without expanding bureaucracy or burdening taxpayers,” Reckers said.
“One of my top priorities will be to seek the creation of an office of Veterans Affairs to provide a conduit at the county level for veterans to get services through partnering with the private sector and officials at the state and federal level,” Kimmich said.
“I want to fund this office through the mental health taxes collected, and I do not want the county to become a direct service provider.”
Kimmich plans to release regular platform updates as the campaign progresses.
Rebecca Reckers
Rebecca Reckers is one of a packed field
Matthew Hayden. Photo provided | Matthew Hayden
Scott Kimmich. Photo provided | Scott Kimmich
Rebecca Reckers. Photo provided | Rebecca Reckers
John Busse. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
Gorgeous River Views
Meet the candidates for Campbell County Judge/Executive
By Haley Parnell
Judges/executive from Campbell and Boone counties are both facing challengers after holding office since the late 1990s.
Go to page 17 to learn more about what a judge/executive is responsible for and who is challenging Boone County’s Gary Moore.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Steve Pendery
Campbell County Judge/Executive
Steve Pendery is the incumbent, first elected to the position in 1998.
Pendery will face Alexandria Mayor Andy Schabell in the May primary.
Pendery is a lifelong Campbell Countian who grew up in Fort Thomas and graduated from Highlands High School. He and his wife, Dana, live in Fort Thomas. Their son Chase is a U.S. Air Force pilot and their daughter Allie is a physician. The family are members of Christ Church, UCC, in Fort
Thomas.
In the next four years, Pendery said he plans to focus on maintaining the county’s momentum in job creation and economic growth, steering projects where they’re wanted and needed.
Roads and traffic are always at or near the top of residents’ concerns, and, therefore, Pendery said, will continue to be a focus of his. The county has helped build a team across NKY that has made State Route 536 its top priority in this legislative session. When completed, Route 536 will be a major east-west artery, easing traffic in and around Alexandria and on Interstate 275.
He said maintaining infrastructure is also a constant need in the county. Pendery is and will continue to address infrastructure needs, including a $10 million investment in AJ Jolly Park, which Pendery said will ensure safety and future recreational enjoyment for the next generation.
“We’ve been successful because we manage the county without the kinds of politics that have turned off so many citizens,” Pendery said. “Residents want to keep more of what they earn, drive on safe roads, have access to parks and recreation, live in safe, thriving communities and otherwise be left alone. We’ve delivered on all of those goals.” He said the county and its allies are focused on building a larger, highly skilled
workforce and on expanding the supply of housing for our residents, workers, kids and grandkids.
Andy Schabell
Andy Schabell is the mayor of Alexandria, a role he has held since 2019, and previously served three terms on the city council.
Schabell will face incumbent Steve Pendery in the May primary.
While in his past roles, he helped lead budgets, oversee infrastructure improvements and make the day-to-day decisions that keep local government running. In those roles, Schabell said he helped oversee millions of dollars in public funds, negotiated contracts and worked directly with state and regional partners to deliver projects that benefit residents. He said his focus has always been to protect taxpayers, be transparent and deliver real results.
As mayor, Alexandria has maintained balanced budgets, earned clean independent audits and consistently delivered projects
efficiently while still investing in public safety, road improvements and long-term priorities that strengthen the community. He has secured outside grants to stretch local dollars further and reduce the burden on residents.
Schabell’s experience also comes from outside city hall. He has served as a volunteer firefighter and nationally registered EMT, earned a degree in police administration from Eastern Kentucky University and built a career in transportation and logistics. Schabell said that working alongside first responders, small businesses and working families has given him a practical, real-world understanding of how government decisions affect everyday life.
That combination of hands-on work and executive leadership, Schabell said, shapes how he governs, with a focus on solutions, accountability and getting things done.
“I’m running for judge/executive to bring proven financial oversight, maintain and improve our roads, reduce traffic congestion and make county government more transparent and accountable, along with steady, results-driven leadership for all of Campbell County,” Schabell said. “I will work hard every day to earn your vote on May 19.”
He said that after decades of the same leadership at the county level, he believes it’s healthy to bring fresh energy and new ideas while building on what works.
Campbell County Judge/ Executive Steve Pendery.
Photo provided | Steve Pendery
Judge/Executive candidate Andy Schabell.
Photo provided | Andy Schabell
Meet the candidates for Boone County Judge/Executive
By Kenton Hornbeck
Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand announced his intention last year to challenge incumbent Judge/Executive Gary Moore, who has held the seat since 1998.
The race is going to be a tightly-watched one because the three Northern Kentucky judges/executive have been in place since 2015, so any mixup there could have an effect on how the three counties work together.
In spite of the position’s name, judges/ executive actually do not serve a judicial function in the county government.
Instead, they’re closer to the county head executive, almost like a CEO, and serve as a voting member and chair of the fiscal court, the primary legislative body of the county. Fiscal courts have a total of four elected positions, including the judge/executive. The judge/executive casts votes with the rest of the fiscal court, similar to a mayor in a city commission or city manager form of municipal government.
Judges’/executive main responsibilities are creating a county budget and administering the budget as approved by the fiscal court, oversight of the funds, appointing
county personnel and forming relationships with organizations and industry leaders that support their county. The judge/executive serves a four-year term and may be re-elected indefinitely.
Keep reading to learn more about Hand and Moore.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name
Chet Hand
Chet Hand is a Republican candidate for Boone County Judge/Executive and a current member of the Boone County Fiscal Court, where he has served as a county commissioner for the past three years.
A Boone County resident for roughly a decade, Hand lives on a farm in Walton along with his wife, Elizabeth, and their seven children.
Hand’s professional background spans both the public and private sectors. He spent more than a decade in the fire service as a firefighter, medic and training captain in Alaska, an experience he publicly said shapes his support for law enforcement and first responders. In the private sector, Hand has worked in corporate risk management, including a leadership role
with a global retailer where he has overseen large-scale operations and budgets.
On the fiscal court, Hand is a proponent of conservative fiscal policy. Hand is an advocate for limited government, fewer regulations and strong protections for individual property rights. Over his fiscal court tenure, Hand has supported measures eliminating the county’s mandatory dog licensing fee and revising ordinances to allow backyard chickens. Moreover, Hand also publicly opposed publicly funded electric-vehicle charging stations, arguing that such projects should be left to the private sector.
Hand describes himself as a proponent of transparency and accessibility in local government and has pushed to expand the county’s communications staff and modernize public-facing information systems.
On growth and development, Hand supports strategic, long-term planning guided by defined metrics and adherence to the county’s comprehensive plan. He says his goal is to ensure responsible growth while protecting Boone County’s future for the next generation, rejecting the label of “anti-development,” which critics have levied against him.
Gary Moore
Gary Moore is the longtime incumbent Boone County Judge/Executive, first elected in 1998 after serving on the Boone County Fiscal Court.
A lifelong Northern Kentuckian, Moore grew up on his family’s farm in Pendleton County, where he raised tobacco, cattle and corn. He often credits his father’s time as Pendleton County sheriff for inspiring him to pursue a career in public service.
Over nearly three decades as judge/executive, Moore has pursued conservative fiscal management, public safety and infrastructure development. Since his first election, Moore has overseen a 24% reduction in the county property tax rate during his tenure, clean annual audits, zero county debt and Boone County’s top-tier bond rating from Moody’s as evidence of fiscal responsibility.
Regarding public safety, Moore supervised
the 2001 merger of the Boone County Police Department into the Boone County Sher- iff’s Office, establishing a unified, county-wide sheriff’s department. Additionally, he has contributed to expanding public safety services, such as founding Boone County’s school resource officer program and increasing the number of sheriff’s deputies to keep pace with growth.
A central focus of Moore’s administration has been transportation and infrastructure. As judge/executive, Moore has pursued major road projects, including the reconstruction of Turfway Road, the widening of Mt. Zion and Pleasant Valley roads, improvements to State Route 18, and new interchanges at Richwood and Hebron. In 2026, he was inducted into the University of Kentucky Transportation Hall of Fame, recognizing his work on regional transportation initiatives.
Moore also attributes the increase in job growth and reduced reliance on residential property taxes in Boone County to strategic economic development, with the transformation of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport into a major cargo hub as a key factor. During his tenure, Amazon Air established its North American superhub on CVG’s campus.
Running for another term, Moore’s campaign slogan is to “keep Boone County great” by managing growth, protecting rural land and continuing infrastructure investments.
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore. Photo provided | NKY Chamber of Commerce
Chet Hand. Photo provided | Chet Hand’s campaign for Boone County Commissioner
Sample primary ballots by county
Each election cycle, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties each post a sample ballot that shows voters what they will see when they go to vote on Primary Election Day. These are the sample ballots for each county for the May 2026 primary.
PURSUANT TO KRS 424.290, “MATTERS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED,” THE FOLLOWING RACES WILL APPEAR ON THE VOTING MACHINES AND PAPER BALLOTS IN THE PRECINCTS LISTED IN BOONE COUNTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 19, 2026.
ALL PRECINCTS
CONSTANCE, LIMABURG, LINKVIEW, GREENVIEW, OAKBROOK, AIRPORT and FLORENCE-3
FLORENCE-1, FLORENCE-2, FLORENCE-4, FLORENCE-5, FLORENCE-6, FLORENCE-7, FLORENCE-8, FLORENCE-9 and FLORENCE-12
WALTON-1, WALTON-2 and KENSINGTON
ALL PRECINCTS
BEAVER, GLENVIEW, LINKVIEW, PLEASANT VALLEY, RICHWOOD, UNION-1, UNION-2, UNION-3, UNION-4, VERONA, WALTON-1, WALTON-2, UNION-5, UNION-6, SUMMITVIEW, HEARTHSTONE, FLORENCE-15, KENSINGTON, UNION-7 and UNION-8
FLORENCE-1, FLORENCE-2, FLORENCE-4, FLORENCE-5, FLORENCE-6, FLORENCE-7, FLORENCE-8, FLORENCE-9 and FLORENCE-12
PURSUANT TO KRS 424.290, MATTERS REQUIRED TO BE PUBLISHED, THE FOLLOWING RACES WILL APPEAR ON THE VOTING MACHINES AND PAPER BALLOTS IN THE PRECINCTS LISTED IN KENTON COUNTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION, MAY 19, 2026.
Starting early on your election plan might not seem like it should take a lot of time, but you’d be surprised at all the things you need to take into consideration before you vote — especially in Kentucky.
With voter turnout for the primary election in 2024 averaging 11% (yep, you read that right. 11%) in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, former Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson said one of the main reasons people choose not to go to the polls is they don’t think it will make a difference.
“Especially in these local races where there’s a smaller number of voters, your vote, in fact, really does matter,” Grayson said. “A couple of years ago, we had a state legislative race in Kentucky that was decided by one vote.”
Another reason for low voter turnout can be the logistics of taking time out of your day to get to the polls.
“You know, life’s busy,” Grayson said. “That’s one of the reasons why we in Kentucky have added these three days of early voting to help people have a few more days where they could schedule what’s best for them around their work schedule, their caregiving schedule.”
Grayson said that the state launched a temporary early voting system during the COVID-19 pandemic and made it a permanent part of Kentucky elections in 2022.
“Early voting is designed to try to help people whose lives are just busy,” Grayson said.
Kentucky is one of 13 states in the Union to mandate closed primaries by law. Congressional and state-level primary elections are closed. That means if you want to vote in those primaries, the deadline to register with one of the major parties was Dec. 31.
As far as closed primaries are concerned, Independents can kick rocks, unless there are multiple independent candidates running for a single seat.
“And a lot of times, folks don’t think about that because as the race gets closer to May, people start paying more attention,” Grayson said. “Then they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s too late.’ So you can register to vote. If you’re
‘Your vote, in fact, really does matter’
not registered to vote, you pick the party at that time. But if you are registered to vote right now, you need to make sure you’re in the political party that you want to vote in by the end of the year.”
You can find out what political party you are registered under at vrsws.sos.ky.gov
How do you register to vote?
The last day to register to vote in Kentucky primary election was April 20.
You do have until Oct. 5 to register for the General Election on Nov. 3.
You can register to vote in several different ways:
• To register online, visit govote.ky.gov
• To register via the mail, print and submit a completed voter registration application to your county clerk’s office. That form can also be found at govote. ky.gov
• To register in person, visit your county clerk’s office to submit an application.
You must update your registration if you have changed your name, residence or
mailing address.
What do you need to bring to vote?
You don’t need much! Bring yourself, your knowledge and identification. All voters must produce valid identification at the polling place.
You can find more information about ID requirements by scanning this QR code.
How and when can you vote?
Voters in Northern Kentucky have several options when it comes to casting their ballots.
Here are some of the different ways you can cast your ballots and the places where you can vote in person in Boone, Kenton
and Campbell counties both on and before Election Day.
Absentee voters
Eligible voters can request an absentee ballot by visiting govote.ky.gov and clicking on “Absentee Ballot Request” on the main menu. The website also has information about polling locations, registration status and sample ballots. You can request an absentee ballot online between April 4 and May 5.
From there, eligible voters can mail absentee ballots to the election offices indicated in their packets. They can also drop off their ballots at select locations in their county of permanent residence. Finally, eligible absentees can cast their ballots in person at specific locations May 6 to 8 and May 11 to 13.
To learn more about voting absentee, including eligibility criteria, drop-off locations and in-person voting locations, go to elect.ky.gov/Voters/Pages/Absentee-Voting.aspx
Everyone else
People who are not eligible for an absentee ballot can either vote early or cast their ballots normally at assigned polling places on Election Day.
Early voting takes place on May 14 to 16. If you want to vote early, you must go to an assigned voting location in your county and cast your vote during an allowable time frame, which varies by county.
Where to vote on Election Day
Where you vote on Election Day is determined by your home address and precinct location. Although you can request a provisional ballot on Election Day if you haven’t updated your registration, the process is somewhat involved and will likely extend your time at the polls, so it’s recommended you update your registration by the April 20 deadline.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
You can find your polling location and precinct number by checking your registration card or entering your information at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/
It’s time to make your voting plan, and we have everything you need in this Super Issue. Photo provided | Jon Tyson via Unsplash
By Nathan Granger
You’re a registered independent. When it comes to the primary, you can kick rocks
Kentucky is one of 13 states in the Union to mandate closed primaries by law. So, does that mean Independents and members of parties besides the Republican and Democratic parties are unable to vote in primaries?
As you’d imagine, it depends …
“It’s especially important for the citizens to understand that in Kentucky, it is a closed primary because they get really upset when they come in thinking they could vote for somebody, and they can’t,” said Boone County Clerk Justin Crigler, adding that his office could deal with anywhere between 50 and 100 confused voters who come in to vote during primary season only to learn they aren’t allowed.
Crigler said this was especially true for national and state positions — the ones that capture public attention — rather than local positions. This difference serves as a good jumping-off point to discuss the topic since the rules differ depending on the jurisdiction.
Congressional and state-level primary elections are closed [FULL STOP]. That means if you want to vote in those primaries, you must be registered as a member of one of the major parties, and you can only vote on a ballot for that party in the primary. Dec. 31, 2025 was the last day you could change your party affiliation for primary elections in 2026.
You can still change your party affiliation after the date, but you won’t be able to vote for your new party in the primary. You can update your registration by filling out papers at your county clerk’s office or by updating your registration electronically at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb. You can view a complete calendar of important dates and deadlines for the 2026 elections at the Kentucky Secretary of State's website.
As far as closed primaries are concerned, Independents can kick rocks, unless there
are multiple Independent candidates running for a single seat. Then, Independents can cast votes on that primary ticket, but that, admittedly, doesn’t happen very often.
In other words, in a closed primary, only partisans are invited. This serves as a means for the parties to winnow down
their candidate slates for the general election, where things open up. Any (properly registered) voter can cast votes in the general election.
What about local elections and school boards? Local entities can decide for themselves if they want to be partisan, and in
Northern Kentucky, most do not. Local bodies can still have primaries, but anyone can vote in a nonpartisan primary.
Some examples of races in NKY where nonpartisan primaries are possible are the city council races for Covington, Erlanger and Florence. Florence’s mayoral race can also have a primary.
Nonpartisan primaries are triggered when enough candidates run. The rule is this: double + 1. So, double the number of positions available plus one more candidate to determine the number necessary to trigger a nonpartisan primary.
For instance, Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe said, “Now that Covington has gone to six council people, double that would be 12, plus one. So if 13 people file to run, it triggers a primary.”
In nonpartisan primaries like this, people cast votes to narrow the pool of candidates to twice the number of positions. So, in the Covington example, if there are 15 candidates for six positions, the primary will eliminate three candidates. That way, there are only two candidates for each seat.
Most of the smaller cities in the region choose to forego primaries altogether, regardless of the number of candidates. Check with your local city clerk to find out how it works in your city.
Note: It’s possible for voters to cast a straight ticket ballot, meaning that you can automatically vote for a particular party in all of the partisan races in the general election without checking off individual boxes. Straight-ticket voting, however, will not check off nonpartisan races, so you’ll still need to cast individual votes for your local, mostly nonpartisan races.
Given all of the races — national, state and local — on the docket for 2026, Summe said, “this is going to be a really heavy ballot.”
Florence • Fort Mitchell • Crestview Hills • Union
A voter holds a sign, urging others to vote. Photo provided | Barbara Burgess via Unsplash
FAQ: Voting on Election Day
Voting can be somewhat of a confusing process, especially if you’ve never done it before.
To ensure everyone is able to fulfill their civic duty by voting, the Kentucky State Board of Elections put together this list of frequently asked questions about Election Day.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the voting process in Kentucky.
Q: Where is my polling place?
A: You can find your polling place at govote.ky.gov.
Q: Do I have to vote according to party affiliation?
A: In primary elections, voters may only vote for candidates of their same political affiliation and non-partisan candidates. Find out more about how this works by scanning this QR code.
Q: What time are the polls open on Election Day?
A: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. If you are in line at 6 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Q: What identification can I bring to the polling place?
A: All voters must produce identification at the polling place. Further information regarding valid forms of ID may be found by scanning this QR code.
Q: I will be out of town on Election Day. How can I vote?
A: You can request an absentee ballot by mail at govote.ky.gov. May 6 to 8 and May 11 to 13 are in-person, excused absentee voting, and May 14 to 16 is in-person, no-excuse absentee voting.
Q:
How do I switch political parties?
A: You can change your political party at govote.ky.gov or by submitting an updated registration application to your county clerk. You must change your party affiliation by Dec. 31 for eligibility to vote in the primary election the following year.
Q: What time are the polls open on the days prior to Election Day?
A: Time polls are open during excused, in-person absentee and no-excuse in-person absentee is found on govote.ky.gov, or you can contact your County Clerk’s office. Scan this QR code to find contact information for your county.
Q: I registered to vote, but I did not receive a confirmation card.
A: Contact your County Clerk’s office using this QR code to find out the status of your address confirmation.
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 31 instructed the U.S. Postal Service to only accept mail-in ballots from approved lists of voters created by the Department of Homeland Security. Local clerks who spoke with LINK nky did not believe it would affect the process of obtaining mail-in ballots for voters. The order is likely to be challenged in court. We’ve got your checklist of things to know for Election Day. Photo provided | Getty Images via Unsplash
Q: Am I entitled to time off for voting on Election Day?
A: If you are working on Election Day, you may be entitled to a maximum of four consecutive hours off from work in order to vote or cast an absentee ballot if you make a request for time off with your employer. Your employer may specify the hours you may take leave to cast a ballot.
Election 2026: A timeline
In Kentucky, it can be challenging to keep track of what happens when during election season.
We put together this timeline to make it easy to double check key dates. Feel free to share this with anyone who also has trouble remembering all these dates.
MAY
May 5, 2025: Mail-in absentee request portal closes at 11:59 p.m.
May 6, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting begins.
May 7, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting.
May 8, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting.
May 11, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting.
May 12, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot.
May 13, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting.
May 14, 2026: In-person, no-excuse absentee voting begins.
May 15, 2026: In-person, no-excuse absentee voting.
May 16, 2026: In-person, no-excuse absentee voting.
May 19, 2026: Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May 26, 2026: Deadline for county to submit certified results of the election to the secretary of state; also the deadline to request a recanvass.
JUNE
June 2, 2026: Filing deadline for November election.
June 4, 2026: Public drawing for ballot positions at county clerks and secretary of state offices.
AUGUST
Aug. 11, 2026: Candidate filing deadline for independent, political organization or political group candidates to file a petition due to a vacancy occurring after the June filing deadline but less than three months before the election.
Aug. 24, 2026: Last day to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 14, 2026: Deadline for printing regular and absentee ballots.
Nov. 10, 2026: Deadline for counties to provide certified election results; deadline to request recanvass.
Those key election dates can sneak up on you. Here’s a full list so you don’t lose track. Photo provided | Maria Ivanova via Unsplash
LINK by the Hour
Because ‘what do you want to do’ shouldn’t take longer than the plan itself
By Annie Hammock
It’s almost summer. The sun stays up later and later, the kids will soon have nothing to do and the outdoor weather is calling you to do something other than stay home.
Whether you’ve got bored kids or the nice weather is simply motivating you to get out there and do something fun, figuring out just what to do can sometimes take as long as actually doing the thing.
Enter LINK By the Hour. Do you have an hour and you just need to find something to do for that hour? Maybe you have three hours, or six or even an overnight.
We’re here to help with the decision fatigue that can come along with simply identifying something to do. So we made it simple:
How much time do you have?
Choose one of the categories based on how long you want your activity to be, close your eyes, point and voila! Decision made.
This is not an exhaustive list of things to do in the NKY area. For a full list of local events, go to linknky.com/events.
CVG Airport viewing area
Free. Good for singles, couples or families.
Watch planes take-off and land at CVG airport in Erlanger at this spot reserved just for skywatchers. The flat horizon makes it the perfect place to catch a sunset or perhaps a meteor shower.
Pro Tip: There are a couple of portable bathrooms in case you want to stay a while.
Address: 1459 Donaldson Highway in Erlanger.
One-hour jaunts
St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
Free. Good for singles, couples or (quiet) families.
Widely considered one of the most beautiful churches in Northern Kentucky, the cathedral’s design was inspired by Notre Dame in Paris. Visitors are welcome anytime the church is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Masses are scheduled throughout the weekend.
Pro Tip: Check for the occasional guided tour on Sundays (see website).
More info: covcathedral.com/visitingtours or 859-431-2060
Address: 1101 Madison Ave. in Covington
Roebling Murals
Free. Good for singles, couples or families.
A walk along the flood wall on the Ohio River offers an illustrated history of the city of Covington. Eighteen panels, painted by muralist Robert Dafford, span 10,000 years of development in the area, including the
construction of the nearby Roebling Bridge.
Pro tip: Go around to the other side of the River Center Towers that face the river.
Address: 50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington
Free. Good for singles, couples or families
Situated in the Licking Riverside Historic District, the statues are memorials to some of Kentucky’s ground-breaking figures. This includes former slave James Bradley, who became a defender of racial equality; Captain Mary Greene, one of the first licensed female boat masters; and Chief Little Turtle, a Miami Indiana who met with three U.S. presidents. Check the map to see where you can find each statue.
Pro Tip: Start at George Rogers Clark Park at 301 Riverside Drive in Covington.
Devou Park
Free. Good for singles, couples or families.
A fantastic spot for pictures and a picnic, with sweeping views of Cincinnati and NKY on either side of the Ohio River. At 700 acres, it’s Covington’s largest park. Public restrooms are just a short walk away.
Pro tip: Enjoy the family-sized swings.
More info: exploredevoupark.org
Address: 1201 Park Drive in Covington
A map of the self-guided tour. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky River Walk brochure
The viewing area at CVG. Photo provided | meetNKY
Basilica of the Assumption. Photo provided | Christopher Kennebeck via Facebook
The Roebling Murals in Covington. Photo provided | meetNKY
Devou Park in Covington. Photo provided | ExploreDevouPark.org
Three-hour escapes
Mainstrasse Village Food Tour
$79 per person. Good for singles or couples.
From fresh baked pretzels to pizza and sushi to sweets, the culinary tour of this historic German neighborhood offers something for every taste. Every stop features an iconic piece of the area’s past.
Pro tip: Don’t eat before you go and wear loose pants.
More info: riversidefoodtours.com
Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center
Prices vary. Good for singles, couples or families.
Catch an art show, take a class or enjoy one of the center’s special “date nights.” The tagline is “Art for All.” Classes include pottery, cooking and painting, while workshops let you experiment in a medium without committing to a class and the price point is cheaper.
Pro tip: Scholarships are available and based on need.
More info: bakerhunt.org
War, Wealth & Riverfront Tales: Taylor Mansion & East Row Tour
$35 per person. Good for singles, couples and families.
Award-winning historian Scott Clark starts this tour at the former home of the “father of Newport.” General James Taylor, Jr., was the quartermaster general during the War of 1812 and helped Newport become a “thriving river city.” In addition to Taylor’s mansion, you’ll see other Victorian homes that showcase the architecture of the 19th century.
Pro tip: The tour recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this 90-minute walk.
More info: taylormansion.com/services/historic-tours
Meeting point: 335 3rd St. in Newport
Ghosts of Covington Haunted History Tour
$38 per person. Good for singles and couples. Possibly too scary for children.
It’s a little bit history and a little bit mystery. Trip Advisor says fans of true crime and the paranormal “will rejoice.” The tour company calls the content of the tour “grisly,” with stories of murder, hauntings and shipping disasters.
Newport Gangster Tour
$32 per person. Good for singles and couples. Content is definitely PG 13.
Hailed by multiple publications as one of the best walking tours in the Greater Cincinnati region, this twohour excursion is all about the mob and its deep roots in NKY. There’s a reason Newport was considered the “Sin City of the South,” complete with casinos and brothels.
Pro Tip: This is an extremely popular tour, so book tickets in advance.
More info: americanlegacytours. com/newport-gangster-tour
Address: Tour begins at Mansion Hill Tavern, located at 502 Washington Ave. in Newport
Pro tip: It’s a two-hour walk, so wear comfortable shoes. Driving tours can be arranged.
More info and tickets: viator.com/tours
Address: Meeting point is at the John Augustus Roebling Statue on Riverside Drive in Covington
Take in a play at the Falcon Theater
$17-30. Good for singles and couples, and depending on the play, families.
Dave Radtke and Ted Weil founded the Falcon in 1989 to provide “eclectic, diverse theatre experiences” in NKY. The company calls the Monmouth Historic District home.
Pro tip: The website lists dozens of local restaurants nearby for a preshow meal.
More info: falcontheater.net
Address: 636 Monmouth St. in Newport
Take a tour of Mainstrasse via food. Photo provided | Riverside Food Tours
Two smiley participants in Baker Hunt’s Spring Break class with Chef Annie. Photo provided | Baker Hunt
A view of a spiral staircase at Mansion Hill Tavern. Photo provided | Taylor Mansion
One of the haunted buildings on the tour. Photo provided | Viator
Newport was once known as the Sin City of the South. Photo provided | American Legacy Tours
Samantha Joy Weil as Juliet in a performance at the Falcon Theater. Photo provided | Claudia Herschner
Six-hour exursions
Rail Explorers
$115 for two, $220 for four. Good for couples and families.
Pedal your way down a 10-mile stretch of train track through gorgeous Bluegrass country. The tour starts at the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad and Museum in Versailles. You’ll end up at a turnaround overlooking the Kentucky River before making your way back. Views include rolling hills, horse farms and limestone cliffs.
Pro tip: Reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for weekend trips.
More info: railexplorers.net/locations/bluegrass
Address: 175 Beasley Road in Versailles
BB Riverboats tours
$34-$76 per person. Good for singles, couples and families.
Whether you go at high noon or in the evening, you’ll get a guided tour of sightseeing highlights on both sides of the river. You can also enjoy a dining cruise or take in the sunset.
Pro tip: For added historic flavor, join the Dixieland jazz brunch cruise and get a lovely soundtrack for your journey.
More info: bbriverboats.com
Address: 101 Riverboat Row in Newport
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
$22-187 per night. Good for singles, couples and families.
From tents and RV hookups to cottages and lodge rooms, there is something for everyone’s taste and budget. You can retrace the steps of Daniel Boone and walk on the trampled remains of an ancient buffalo path. There is boating, miniature golf and the Pioneer museum to enjoy.
Pro tip: The park is known for its wildflowers and is home to the federally endangered Short’s Goldenrod, which is common along Buffalo Trace in season.
More info: parks.ky.gov/explore/blue-licks-battlefieldstate-resort-park-7782
Address: 10299 Maysville Road in Carlisle
Big Bone Lick State Park
Explore Augusta
Various prices. Good for singles, couples and families.
Located on the southern bank of the Ohio river, this tiny town has a lot to offer. Take in the Rosemary Clooney House and keep an eye out for her famous nephew, George, who occasionally makes his way back to his hometown. The town features a winery, a distillery, an historic jail and stops on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Overnight stays
General Butler State Resort Park
$40-254 per night. Good for singles, couples and families.
Like Blue Licks, this park has a variety of lodging to choose from, but is slightly more expensive all around. Mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking are favorite activities. Fishing is permitted in the 30-acre lake. There are eight hiking trails to choose from.
Pro tip: The trails and some lodging are pet-friendly, but keep the dogs leashed.
More info: parks.ky.gov/explore/general-butler-stateresort-park-7789
Address: 1608 Ky-227 in Carrollton
Free. Good for singles, couples and families.
Home to a herd of bison that are visible year-round, as well as the fossils of their genetic ancestors: mammoth and mastodon. You can hike miles of trails meant for various abilities.
Pro tip: Spring is prime time for birding and the park is known for its ruby-throated hummingbirds and colorful warbler species.
More info: parks.ky.gov/explore/bigbone-lick-state-historic-site-7807
Address: 3380 Beaver Road in Union
Pro tip: Grab a meal at the Beehive Tavern and get a seat on the balcony overlooking the river if you can. Reservations recommended.
First Farm Inn
$171-180 per night. Good for singles, couples and families.
Horses and loads of privacy are the draws here. There are only two rooms at this bed and breakfast and there is a two-night minimum, but you don’t need to stay on site to enjoy the horses. Trail rides and lessons are available with or without breakfast for visitors.
Pro tip: There is a 200-pound weight limit to ride.
More info: firstfarminn.com
Address: 2510 Stevens Road in Petersburg
Pedal down a stretch of train track starting in Versailles. Photo provided | Rail Explorers
The Augusta Welcome Center and Rotary Caboose. Photo provided | Kentucky Tourism
Big Bone Lick State Park. Photo provided | Kentucky Parks
BB Riverboats are an NKY and Cincinnati staple. Photo provided | Kentucky Tourism
An aerial view of Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. Photo provided | Kentucky Parks
The welcome center for General Butler State Resort Park. Photo provided | Kentucky Parks
First Farm Inn. Photo provided | First Farm Inn
2/16/26 - 2/22/26
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
The Weekly Crossword
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
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