Who’s your favorite candidate and why? Voters weigh in.

Candidate responses to endorsements

David Kloiber

I asked the Herald Leader to reconsider their endorsement because I truly believed that they cared about the issues our residents are facing. Op-eds and articles criticizing the Mayor’s lack of responsiveness to the public, and her proposals to cut funding to homeless shelters, social services, and affordable housing have not been uncommon over the years, but those did not seem to play into their decision.

I have said this often, but it bears repeating: the office of Mayor is not about any one person. It is about what the community needs, and the best way to be responsive to the issues they face. In many ways, elections are a performance review, and a candidate’s experience only matters if it has led to results.

On Nov. 8, your decision is not between David and Linda as people, it is about change vs the status quo. Are we ok with setting a new record for homicides for the third year in a row? Should we continue to push people into the surrounding counties by allowing our housing costs to increase? Do we want local leaders that will simply follow orders as state and federal laws strip us of our rights and freedoms?

We cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. I am committed to working with the community as a force for change, and humbly ask for your vote and support in making Lexington a safer and more affordable place for all of our residents.

David Kloiber is a candidate for Lexington Mayor.

Rand Paul

It’s no surprise the Herald-Leader would endorse the candidate who mocked and celebrated the assault that left me gravely injured and was ruled by the courts as a felony, considering they did the exact same thing when they suggested in a column that I somehow deserved to be assaulted. I’m not going to dignify their shameless, victim-blaming behavior with an appearance before their board.

The Herald-Leader has always been untethered from reality. That’s the only explanation for why they could seriously tell their readers to vote for a candidate who wants to defund the police when Lexington’s murder, assault, and theft rates have all surpassed last year’s. With 37 murders already this year in Lexington, the last thing we need to do is defund our police.

I’ve traveled to every corner of the Commonwealth, and everywhere the message I receive from Kentuckians is the same. They’re worried about being able to afford to feed their families and fill their cars up with enough gas. With rampant inflation, paychecks don’t have the same purchasing power, and there’s only one place to lay blame – the Biden Administration and Democrats’ Big Government agenda that has spent us into an economic disaster. A vote for my opponent is a vote for a continued fiscal nightmare.

From day one I’ve always promised to put Kentucky first and fight back against Big Government spending that threatens Kentuckians’ ability to survive, and I hope you’ll reelect me so I can continue fighting for you and your families.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is running against Charles Booker.

Geoff Young

It’s clear that the Herald-Leader’s Editorial Board cares very little about the two biggest problems facing humanity today: the imminent threat of a nuclear war and the destruction of the earth’s ecosystem.

If I beat Andy Barr (R) on Nov. 8, I will be the only member of Congress whose main focus is to stop our federal government in Washington from launching a nuclear war that would almost certainly exterminate every human being on earth as well as many other, innocent species. Extinction is forever.

I thank the Editorial Board for recognizing that my “support for reproductive rights is commendable.” Unlike virtually every Democrat in America, I have proposed a solution that might actually work: to impeach the six corrupt, woman-hating, Constitution-shredding, Republican, partisan hacks on the US Supreme Court who overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

I am humbly asking for the vote of every registered voter in Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District. There is no time to waste. The United States might not exist in 2024.

Geoff Young (Lexington-Fayette County) is the Democratic Party’s nominee in KY-6.His campaign website is www.Young4ky.com.

Vote for Witt

I am writing today to express my support and endorsement of incumbent Kathy Witt for Fayette County Sheriff.

I have known Sheriff Witt for over 40 years, and worked alongside her when she worked for my father, Sheriff Harold J Buchignani, Sr., from 1989 to 1998. After his retirement and endorsement, Kathy Witt was elected Sheriff. She has worked tirelessly and successfully to build upon his professional vision for the department.

I am honored to stand by Sheriff Witt, and urge the voters of Fayette County to re-elect Kathy Witt so that she may continue to serve her community with her passion, experience and leadership.

Harold J Buchignani, Jr., Wilmore

Vote for Holiday

In my opinion, Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt has been the biggest fraud that has ever entered politics here in Lexington-Fayette County. She professes to be a devoted Christian and to be devoted to her community and its people. This is simply a false front that she has projected as a personal image to persuade votes to her favor. Witt is by no means a devoted Christian or devoted to our community. Case in point: she has attempted to pull employees from loved one’s hospital beds with the threat of termination. She has used loud profane language and has had abusive tirades with employees. She has been physically aggressive with employees. Witt conducts a cloak and dagger operation within her administration to hide these acts from the unsuspecting public.

After reading this you’re probably thinking I am a disgruntled former employee. That’s simply not the case. I truly enjoyed my time in the Sheriff’s Office up until Witt was first elected. I retired from the Sheriff’s Office and Witt and her abusive tyrannical episodes. So, with all of this I am encouraging all voters to vote for Christopher Holliday for our next Fayette County Sheriff this Nov. 8.

James Jeffrey Coleman, Lexington

Carl Devine for Family Court Judge

It is with personal and professional honor that I commend to the voters of Fayette County Judge Carl Devine for Family Court Judge in the Sixth Division.

I have practiced family law in the courts of the Commonwealth for 40 years. I have known Judge Devine for the entirety of his 25-year career. I have practiced against him and before him. Judge Devine is a man of integrity and compassion, and he always has been.

Because Judge Devine had the long experience he does in the practice of Family Law, he was able upon his appointment to the bench in March of this year to literally hit the ground running. He required no on-the-job training because he knows the job. He knows the job so well in fact that he is not only capable of keeping the existing house in good order, he has brought innovation and programing to the court that is so very beneficial to the citizens of Fayette County.

The community deserves a judiciary that not only knows the job, but brings to the job a scholarly understanding of the law, and a compassionate investment in the persons who appear before him. I ask that you vote to continue the good work that is just beginning by voting for Carl Devine, Fayette Circuit Court Sixth Division.

Anita M. Britton, Lexington

A good judge

This letter is in support of Judge Carl Devine to remain Family Court Judge, Sixth division.

I first met Carl at the Glendover Basketball League where he was a volunteer coach and my youngest son was on his team. To me, in a competitive league, it was apparent that for him it was more than just about basketball. It was about teaching young people to be good people as well.

Later Carl became my divorce attorney. Looking back, almost all our conversations during this difficult time centered around my children. Carl’s steady advice and demeanor is what made the unbearable bearable. Carl asked me a question during this time, “Would you do it all over again for the kids that you have?” The answer was a resounding yes! This has helped me to keep so many things in perspective. Carl has a way of helping to keep things relevant, simple, and focused on what really matters instead of the outside noise.

The above are just a few reasons as to why we need to keep Judge Carl Devine on the bench. He treats others with respect and empathy during hard times in their lives.

Kevin J. Mims, Lexington

Gorton for Mayor

It is time to vote again. Let’s consider our choices. We have Candidate #1 who has 20 years of experience as council member, vice mayor, and mayor. She was a nurse so was prepared when the COVID pandemic came to America and Lexington.

Crime is rampant country-wide, but we are not losing large local businesses like Chicago and other cities. It is apparent drugs and gangs are having an effect on our city. Looks like we have had great leadership under #1 for the last 4 years.

Candidate #2 ran a poor 2nd in the primary when he loaned his campaign $250,000 so he has loaned this campaign $588,000 to date. I can’t see that he has really ever had a job, but worked for his family’s Foundation, which I assume is financing these loans. He is quick to criticize, but says he doesn’t have the answers either. Does he think name calling and spending money is the answer? I guess we will find out soon. I still love Lexington!!!

Melanie Rhorer McCloud, Lexington

A steady hand

Lexington has been fortunate to have the steady hand of Mayor Linda Gorton leading our city through the turbulent last several years. During my time as a member of the Urban County Council in 2020, one of the lessons I learned was how well run the city of Lexington really is. One reason for that is the experience and judgment of Gorton.

While the Mayor and I certainly disagreed about some important issues during this chaotic period, I was consistently impressed with her deep knowledge about and love for our city. The years of experience she has in city government are extraordinarily valuable, and in sharp contrast to her opponent, who announced his candidacy when he’d served less than a year on Council. Based on my personal experience, as well as on my discussions with other Council members, I know it takes more than that short amount of time to gain the knowledge and experience needed to run a city.

Don’t take the leadership we have for granted, and join me in re-electing Mayor Linda Gorton.

Mark Swanson, Lexington

Gorton deserves another term

It seems David Kloiber is trying to buy the Lexington Mayor’s Office. By giving a half million dollars of his own money to his ugly mayoral campaign, he must believe the office is for sale. This is a dangerous precedent and one that signals the office of mayor in Lexington is only for the rich. His assertion in his TV ads that Mayor Linda Gorton’s ideas on current topics are “out of date” is ludicrous. Does he not listen to her in Council meetings?

Further, he promises many great things, but those “bones” have no “meat” on them. Just another empty-hat-politician promising the moon but with no idea how he plans to accomplish his grandiose schemes. Gorton has done a great job over the past four years and she truly deserves another term. Tell Mr. Kloiber with your vote that the Mayor’s Office in Lexington is not for sale. Vote for Gorton!

Jack C. Blanton

No political points

Dear Mr. Kloiber - Please stop trying to make political point off of our family.

Yes, there were several homicides this past May. Did you check into the causes of them? Did you notice how many of them were domestic violence? At least five were the result of mental health problems. I can vouch for three of those, since I am related to the victims. Another homicide was the result of an argument. Yet another was due to deliberate medical malfeasance.

How are any of those are the result of “poor leadership”? How many could have been avoided by “better policing”? Gun control might have helped, but ironically the one used to kill my sister was purchased “for her protection.”

Have you looked at a map of this year’s homicides and noticed in which neighborhoods they occurred? This is also a socioeconomic problem, exacerbated by isolation due to COVID-19.

If you become Mayor, just exactly what do you think you can do about factors that are beyond your control? You need to find some better talking points for your campaign. Meanwhile, I will again be voting for the person with the proven track record.

Cheryl Fletcher, Lexington

Kloiber for Mayor

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has ignored the pleas of the community she was elected to represent for YEARS. She has taken credit for work done by other organizations, the governor, councilmembers and the community in an attempt to get votes. David Kloiber is willing to implement GVI (Group Violence Intervention) which the Black/Brown communities have demanded for over 6 months. He will stand up with us and fight for affordable housing, uterus bearing people’s rights and our community - NOT AGAINST US. We don’t need 4 more years of Linda “working on it.” We need action now. Vote for our community and for a safer/better Lexington.

Vote David Kloiber for Mayor!

Alisha Kattara, Lexington

Kloiber deserves endorsement

To say the Herald-Leader’s continued endorsement of Mayor Linda Gorton for mayor is disappointing would be an understatement. Their reasoning is based on half-truths and blatant lies.

Gorton never listened to racial justice protesters as the Herald-Leader claims. She opposed a ban on “No Knock” warrants, and would have vetoed the ordinance had it not had the votes to make it veto proof. Gorton stayed silent while nonviolent protesters faced charges from a retaliatory police department. She didn’t speak up against the police union when they targeted residents and even her colleagues on council.

The accomplishments that Gorton has taken credit for and that the Herald-Leader mentioned are not hers to claim. The community did the work. Protesters sacrificed personal freedom for those wins. Gorton sacrificed nothing. She has pushed for zero transparency from our police department and in fact wants them to have as many tools as possible to continue targeting Black and Brown communities. She refuses to listen to recommendations by community leaders on how to handle rising violence or meet with mothers of children lost to gun violence.

Gorton is not a mayor of the people. Gorton is a mayor of her own personal agenda.

Jessica Bowman, Lexington

Who’s the naive one?

Is the Herald Leader really naive (their terminology) enough to imply that a statewide complete ban on reproductive healthcare can only harm residents in 1 out of 120 counties?

Why does the Herald Leader criticize campaign funding, but ignore that Mayor Gorton’s biggest donor base is the horse racing industry, which heavily influences her policies? Can you really credit Gorton for racial justice and police accountability reforms, when she has been opposed to many of the recommendations made by the community and her own commission? The HL recognized that Councilmember David Kloiber has pushed Gorton on the urgent need to adequately address Lexington’s affordable housing crisis. Yet, perhaps praise should be withheld for a one time source of federal ARPA funds for affordable housing, approved by city council, when Gorton is now using the same inflated budget to irresponsibly burden the city with millions in unsustainable recurring costs for failed systems of harm.

Credit to the Editorial Board for supporting racial justice protesters that endured retaliation and trumped up charges during Gorton’s administration, but they have continued to miss the mark with their endorsement for mayor. Working class and marginalized communities shouldn’t have to wait another four years for change.

James Woodhead, Lexington