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Raquel Carter Announces Mayoral Candidacy for Lexington

The skyline of Lexington representing community and urban development

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News Summary

Raquel Carter, a prominent real estate agent and chair of Lexington’s planning board, has declared her candidacy for mayor in the May 2026 election. The 51-year-old aims to foster a Lexington that provides opportunities for all citizens. Currently the only candidate to file for the position, Carter’s experience in public service and community leadership positions her as a strong contender against incumbent Mayor Linda Gorton, who has yet to announce her plans for re-election. Carter’s campaign is expected to focus on inclusive development and quality of life improvements for residents.

Lexington – Raquel Carter, a well-known real estate agent and the current chair of the city’s planning board, has officially announced her candidacy for mayor of Lexington in the upcoming May 2026 election. The 51-year-old is the first to file paperwork for this position, with documents submitted to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance on April 18. Carter aims to gather funds for her campaign as she takes a significant step toward leading Kentucky’s second-largest city.

Carter expressed her vision for a Lexington that offers opportunities for all its residents. Her candidacy is noteworthy as it marks the beginning of a potentially competitive race for the mayoral seat, currently held by Mayor Linda Gorton, who is yet to announce her intention to seek a third consecutive term. Gorton has previously maintained strong voter support, having won against former Councilman David Kloiber in the 2022 election.

Currently, Carter is chairperson of the city’s Board of Adjustment, overseeing the review of conditional use permits and various planning issues within Lexington. She holds extensive experience in community leadership and public service, having served on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission, the Lexington Community Land Trust Development Committee, and the Bluegrass Realtors Government Affairs Committee. These roles have provided her with a solid foundation in urban development and local governance.

In her commitment to the community, Carter has been actively involved with organizations that support various social causes, including the BMW Academy, SoulFest Week, and the University of Kentucky Center of Entrepreneurship Mentor Program. Her dedication to public service and community involvement has not gone unnoticed; she has received multiple accolades, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Kentucky Women Small Business of the Year award for 2024 and Commerce Lexington’s Minority Small Business Award in 2021.

A graduate of Fayette County Public Schools and Eastern Kentucky University, Carter’s involvement with community and economic development is well-documented. As a board member of Lexington for Everyone, she was part of efforts that successfully advocated for the expansion of the urban service boundary, a significant development decision that was passed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council in 2023 with a controversial 10-3 vote. This change, the first of its kind since 1996, involved over 2,700 acres and came amidst debates about its implications for future housing and urban growth.

Despite the bold moves towards urban expansion, which the current mayor opposed without a corresponding housing plan, Carter has continuously lobbied for development-friendly regulations and has contributed opinion pieces to local publications, arguing for responsible urban development that supports both business and community needs.

The imminent mayoral race in Lexington is nonpartisan, setting the stage for various candidates to engage with the electorate on a range of critical local issues. As the campaign period approaches, it is expected that other candidates may emerge to contest for the position, which will influence the city’s future in matters of housing, urban growth, and community development. Carter’s candidacy represents a significant milestone in her career and reflects her commitment to shaping the future of Lexington.

With Carter’s background in business and local governance, her campaign is anticipated to focus on inclusive development and improving the quality of life for all Lexington residents. As the race unfolds, voter engagement will be crucial in deciding the direction the city takes in years to come.