News Summary
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has announced her candidacy for a third and final term, emphasizing her commitment to the community. Gorton highlights her record in public safety, economic development, and managing the city’s challenges, including COVID-19. With a track record that includes a significant reduction in the homicide rate and a high employment rate, she faces competition from newcomer Raquel Carter, who is proposing fresh ideas for the city’s leadership. The upcoming nonpartisan mayoral race is set for May.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton Announces Bid for Third and Final Term
Lexington, Kentucky – Mayor Linda Gorton has officially announced her intention to seek a third and final term as the mayor of Lexington. The announcement, made on Wednesday, reflects her commitment to continue serving the community, as she believes there is still significant progress to be made in the city.
Gorton began her first term in 2019 and has expressed a deep passion for her community. As the current mayor, she has a substantial record of leadership that includes efforts in public safety, economic development, and managing the city through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her administration, Lexington has reached a record high employment rate, with over 174,000 workers reported in 2024.
The upcoming mayoral race will be nonpartisan, with a filing deadline for candidates set for January 9. If more than two candidates enter the race, a primary election is scheduled for May 19. One contender, Raquel Carter, a local real estate business owner and first-time candidate, has already announced her plans to run. Carter, previously a chairperson of the Board of Adjustment, is advocating for housing expansion while aiming to bring fresh ideas to the city’s leadership.
Support and Achievements
At 77 years of age, Gorton has a long-standing career in local governance, having served 16 years on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, including four years as vice mayor. Her re-election efforts have been successful in the past, winning her first term with 63% of the vote against former Police Chief Ronnie Bastin and securing a second term in 2022 with 71% of the vote despite a two-to-one spending disadvantage.
If Gorton is re-elected, she would become the first mayor in Lexington’s history to serve a full third term. This milestone has not been achieved by previous mayors, including former Mayor Scotty Baesler, who ran for a third term but left office early due to a congressional campaign.
Plans and Priorities
Gorton has outlined her 2025 budget of $540.2 million, which includes significant investments to enhance public safety and affordable housing. One of her key goals if re-elected is to address homelessness in the community through innovative solutions and the establishment of a new task force.
During her tenure, Lexington has seen notable improvements, including a reduction in the homicide rate, which dropped from 44 in 2022 to 22 in 2024. Gorton attributes this success to her dedication to public safety and effective city management.
Community Response
The relationship Gorton maintains with the city council has generally been positive, although there have been instances of budget disputes in the past. As the city prepares for the upcoming election, the focus will now shift to the candidates’ platforms and their visions for Lexington’s future.
With the filing deadline approaching and the primary election set for May, both Gorton and Carter will take center stage in the next chapter of Lexington’s political landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum News 1
- Kentucky.com
- Fox 56 News
- WTVQ
- WKYT
- Wikipedia: Linda Gorton
- Google Search: Linda Gorton mayor of Lexington
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Linda Gorton
- Google News: Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
