Incumbent Linda Gorton beat out challenger Raquel Carter in Lexington’s mayoral race Tuesday, securing her third and final term with 55% percent of the vote.
In all 56,203 Fayette County residents showed up to reelect Gorton, according to unofficial returns. Carter, who received 45,869 votes, is a realtor and first-time candidate.
Gorton was first elected in 2018 and campaigned largely on her experience in local government. Before her time as mayor, she served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council from 1999 to 2015, including a term as vice mayor.
During her tenure, she guided Lexington through the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s also been a strong advocate for the preservation of Fayette County’s rural areas, recently vetoing a decision by council to approve solar farm development on 1% of county land.
"Some of those voters have been by my side through all nine of my campaigns. The support I received tonight and in previous campaigns has really been humbling, and I think that each and every one of you are a huge part of that," Gorton said during her victory speech Tuesday night at Lex Live.
Carter positioned herself as a fresh face in city government throughout her campaign. The owner of Guide Realty Inc., her campaign focused largely on development to address Lexington’s housing shortage. She has served on the board of adjustment and the Kentucky Real Estate Commission.
She also ran on improving the city’s response to winter weather and criticized the city’s usage of Flock license plate readers. The Gorton administration’s response to an ice storm last year, and a snow storm two winters ago, was heavily criticized by residents.
