Lexington Council District 5 candidates. Illustration by Isabella Sepahban
The only district a part of the primary election, Council District 5, will have three candidates on the ballot on May 19.
Fayette County residents can vote in-person at their precinct or library voting center between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. or participate in early in-person voting on May 14-16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at select library voting centers if an absentee mail-in ballot has not yet been requested.
Lexington residents can only vote for District 5 candidates if they live in District 5. Key neighborhoods include Chevy Chase, Kenwick, Ashland, Lansdowne-Merrick and Idle Hour.
Below, each District 5 candidate, their platforms and their most recent campaign budget have been summarized.
Michael McLaughlin
Michael McLaughlin is a technology services executive with experience in various senior leadership roles and business strategy guidance.
According to McLaughlin, his focus has been on “helping organizations become more efficient, accountable and better prepared for the future.”
He is involved with numerous Lexington organizations as both a leader and volunteer, such as Backpack Buddies, the Kentucky Youth Leadership Foundation, Little Free Pantry Lexington and the Catholic Action Center.
Being a Lexington Councilmember is “not about one person’s agenda,” McLaughlin said, “it’s about representing the voices of the district and ensuring those voices are heard in every decision, while always keeping the needs of our neighborhoods front and center.”
Total campaign contributions: $19,250.00
Total campaign expenditures: $5,053.48
Out of the three candidates, McLaughlin spent the least on campaign expenditures. Out of his total expenditures, $2,758.82 went toward Bolt Marketing firm, with the rest going toward various processing fees and promotional materials.
Stephenie Hoelscher
Stephenie Hoelscher is a public policy professional and former journalist.
As the senior advisor and communications director for former Auditor of Public Accounts for Kentucky, Adam Edelen, Hoelscher counted the Commonwealth’s untested sexual assault kits.
In doing so, Hoelscher said she compiled recommendations that became a model for state reform, helping lobby the legislature to enact nearly all of the recommendations into law.
“Rapists were identified and caught and more victims come forward today knowing their kits must be tested,” Hoelscher said.
Originally from rural Appalachia, Hoelscher said her life’s purpose is “to strengthen the communities (she) is part of, including the 5th district and Lexington as a whole.”
Total campaign contributions: $26,429.60
Total campaign expenditures: $7,871.47
Out of the three candidates, Hoelscher raised the most money for her campaign. Her campaign manager earned $4,500 of her total expenditures and the rest went toward various event and promotional material funding.
Nicholas Wolter
Nicholas Wolter is the owner of a home construction company, according to CivicLex, where he navigates “permitting, inspections, infrastructure, and budgeting decisions that directly affect residents and small businesses.”
According to Wolter, his goal is to ensure Lexington allows for local businesses to succeed, families to “put down roots” and young adults to have “reason to stay.”
“Lexington is growing, and we need a smart growth strategy that balances necessary development with preserving neighborhood character,” Wolter said. “Public safety must remain a priority by ensuring police and fire have the resources, training, and support needed to keep our community safe.”
Total campaign contributions: $14,189.27
Total campaign expenditures: $11,377.43
Out of the three candidates, Wolter spent the most on campaign expenditures. Video and film productions for his campaign totaled $1,000. He also spent $2,417.44 on two separate occasions for advertisements and graphic design.
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