Four new councilmembers were sworn into the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government earlier this week.
Two of the body’s new members have historic significance: District 1’s Tyler Morton is the government’s youngest councilmember ever to be elected, at 26 years old. District 4’s Emma Curtis is the city council’s first transgender member.
Curtis says she hopes their position in city government makes the council more representative of Lexington.
“At a time when the word ‘diversity’ is used almost like a four letter word, as a boogeyman, we're able to remind folks that we're just bringing lived experiences to the horseshoe that haven't always been there,” Curtis said.
Morton says he hopes his age is a source of inspiration for his peers.
“I serve an undervalued district, and at this point, I just believe, if you see it, you can believe it. And I want to be that thought for the kids, that they can dream,” Morton said.
Morton says he wants to focus on policies like government transparency, reducing gun violence, expanding affordable housing and economic growth.
Curtis says she wants to focus on improving the Nicholasville Road corridor, adding affordable housing and increasing government transparency.
She and Morton are also joined by two other new councilmembers: District 7’s Joseph Hale and District 12’s Hil Boone.
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