Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton is seeking a second term leading the government of the second-largest city in Kentucky. The retired nurse said she’s heard a lot of questions about her political future the past three to four months.
The mayor made the official announcement inside the Lyric Theater, where the lettering over the entrance read, “Re-elect Linda Gorton”
“So the secret’s out. I didn’t know about the marquee,” said Gorton.
Gorton served 16 years on the Lexington Council prior to starting her tenure as mayor in 2018. She told supporters, “this past two and a half years, as all of you know, have significantly changed our city. A global pandemic, a financial crisis, fundamental questions of justice. Those are historic challenges. The challenges of a lifetime squeezed into a few months,” said Gorton.
Gorton says the community has appreciated her calm and decisive approach. But, the 73-year-old government leader said there’s more to do including more action on recommendations from the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality.
Gorton said she’s not sure how the timing of her announcement will affect decisions by other candidates. But she does expect others to seek the mayor’s job. The mayoral election takes place in November of 2023.
