Lexington, August 24, 2025
News Summary
Lisa Higgins-Hord has been appointed by Mayor Linda Gorton to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, succeeding Denise Gray. Higgins-Hord, an administrator at the University of Kentucky, will serve the remaining 16 months of Gray’s term. The 6th District council seat has experienced leadership changes recently, with candidates preparing for a nonpartisan election. Mayor Gorton praised Higgins-Hord’s community involvement, and she will begin attending council meetings shortly.
Lexington – Lisa Higgins-Hord has been appointed by Mayor Linda Gorton to fill a vacant seat on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, marking her return to the council for the second time in five years. Higgins-Hord will serve the remaining 16 months of former Councilwoman Denise Gray’s term, which is set to conclude in December 2026.
Higgins-Hord, who is an administrator at the University of Kentucky, was sworn into her new position on Friday by Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine, who also happens to be her aunt. She is set to begin attending council meetings next week.
The council’s 6th District, which includes neighborhoods along Winchester Road such as the Hamburg shopping district, has seen notable turnover in its leadership in the past five years. Following Denise Gray’s resignation in July to accept a position in Wisconsin, the council seat became available once again. Previously, a similar situation arose when former Councilwoman Angela Evans vacated the seat in 2020 to pursue graduate studies.
With the filing deadline for candidates to run for the council seat set for January 9, the council race will occur on a nonpartisan basis with district representatives serving two-year terms. There are currently no candidates who have submitted paperwork to raise campaign funds for the 6th District, following Denise Gray’s endorsement of Christian Wellmann as a potential challenger. Wellmann has lived in the district since 2017 and advocates for fair labor practices.
Mayor Gorton received 15 applications for the council position and underscored that Higgins-Hord’s strong community ties set her apart from the other candidates. Higgins-Hord is actively involved in various local boards, including the Lexington Children’s Museum and the Blue Grass Community Foundation Board, which reflects her commitment to serving the community.
While Higgins-Hord has started her term as a council member, she has not publicly decided whether she will run for election after her term ends in December 2026. Her predecessor, David Kloiber, held the seat from 2020 until he ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Gorton in the 2022 election.
Mayor Gorton, acknowledging the array of applicants, encouraged others in the community to engage in local government by participating in boards and commissions.
As the council prepares for its next regular sessions, Higgins-Hord joins the ranks of council members committed to addressing critical issues for their constituents.
FAQs
Who appointed Lisa Higgins-Hord to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council?
How long will Higgins-Hord serve in her current term?
What is the filing deadline for candidates interested in running for the 6th Council District seat?
What are some of Higgins-Hord’s community involvements?
Has Higgins-Hord decided if she will run for election after her term ends?
Key Features of the Article
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointee | Lisa Higgins-Hord |
| Appointing Authority | Mayor Linda Gorton |
| Term Duration | Remaining 16 months of Denise Gray’s term, ending December 2026 |
| Previous Seat Holders | Denise Gray, Angela Evans, David Kloiber |
| Filing Deadline for Candidates | January 9 |
| Community Involvement | Lexington Children’s Museum, Blue Grass Community Foundation Board |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton Seeks Third Term
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Lexington Council Appointment
- LEX18: Mayor Appoints Lisa Higgins-Hord
- WKYT: Live Coverage of Mayor’s Appointment
- Spectrum News: Profile of Lisa Higgins-Hord
- News Break: Higgins-Hord Selected for Council Seat
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- Google Search: Lexington City Council
- Google Scholar: Lexington Government
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington
- Google News: Lexington Council
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
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