On May 19, Louisville, Kentucky, is holding nonpartisan primary elections for mayor and Metro Council for the first time. The top two vote getters in each race will advance to the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
In 2024, the Kentucky General Assembly approved House Bill 388, making multiple changes to local government elections and procedures, including requiring nonpartisan elections for mayor and council members.
According to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, the change from partisan to nonpartisan primaries makes about 75,000 independent voters eligible to vote in the primaries for the first time.
There are eleven candidates running for mayor. According to Louisville Public Media, incumbent Craig Greenberg and Shameka Parrish-Wright are the two candidates with the most name recognition and the only two to have advertised on radio or television. Another candidate, Tina Burnell, has also received media attention.
Greenberg was first elected mayor in 2022 as a Democrat. Greenberg’s campaign website said, “Working with a sense of urgency, he prioritizes improving public safety, driving economic growth, and expanding opportunities across every neighborhood, including opening the first public pool in West Louisville in over sixty years and building a new library in Fern Creek.” Governor Andy Beshear (D), U.S. Rep Morgan McGarvey (D), Lieutenant Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (D), and eight Democratic members of the Louisville Metro Council endorsed Greenberg.
Parrish-Wright is a member of the Louisville Metro Council. She was first elected in 2023 as a Democrat. In response to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, Parrish-Wright wrote that “She believes the city’s biggest challenges are connected, so the solutions must be connected too. Public safety should include housing people, strengthening mental health supports, preparing for natural disasters, fixing roads and infrastructure, and investing in neighborhoods so every community, including the business community, feels seen and supported.” Jefferson County Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice, Louisville DSA, C-FAIR, and Planned Parenthood endorsed Parrish-Wright.
Burnell, who identifies as a Republican, is the founder of the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance. Her campaign website said, “I’m running for Mayor to restore transparency and accountability to our local government. I’m running to end corruption, cronyism, backroom deals, and unethical politics. I’m running because City Hall should work for the people—not insiders, not special interests, and not the same tired political machine.” As of May 19, Burnell’s campaign website did not include a list of her endorsements.
In addition to the mayor’s office, 13 seats on the Metro Council are also up for nonpartisan election this year. There will also be partisan primaries for Jefferson County Attorney, County clerk, and Jefferson County Sheriff on May 19.
Click here to read more about Louisville’s mayoral election and here to read more about all of the city elections in Louisville this year.
