2026 Kentucky General Election

April Whitaker is a candidate for the Nicholasville City Commission At-large in Kentucky in the 2026 election. She is running as a member of the Republican Party. Whitaker has been involved in local community initiatives and has expressed her commitment to improving the quality of life in Nicholasville. Her campaign focuses on issues such as public safety, economic development, and community engagement. Whitaker aims to bring a fresh perspective to the city commission and work collaboratively with other members to address the needs of the residents.

April Whitaker (Nicholasville City Commission At-large, Kentucky, candidate 2026)

April Whitaker has been involved in local community initiatives.

April Whitaker (Nicholasville City Commission At-large, Kentucky ...

As of October 6, 2026, April Whitaker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public Services

Transportation & Infrastructure

April Whitaker

As of October 6, 2026, April WHITAKER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

April WHITAKER

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

In a 2022 candidate questionnaire, Brown wrote: “I am a native of Nicholasville, and graduated from East Jessamine High School in 2011. I then went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of the Cumberlands. I currently reside in Nicholasville with my Husband, Tony and two dogs, Lilly and Abby.”

Hear from the candidates: Nicholasville City Commission

The City of Nicholasville’s 2020 community report states: “Brown works as an international accountant for Valvoline, Inc. and enjoys hunting with her chocolate lab, Millie, and playing with her other puppy, Abbey.”

2020 Report to the Community (Nicholasville)

Contact Us - Nicholasville.org

The City of Nicholasville’s 2020 community report states: “The Nicholasville City Commission quickly resumed meetings following the mandated halt on government in-person meetings in the spring of 2020. Using Zoom and all appropriate health protocols, the Commission adapted to using video conferencing to conduct official meetings. Doug Blackford did not run for re-election and Bethany Davis Brown won the open seat.”

The City Commission page lists the 2025–2026 commission: “Alex Carter — Mayor, Administration and Finance; Bethany Davis Brown — Public Safety, Police and Fire Department; Dexter Knight — Water and Sewer.”

City Commission

As of October 6, 2026, Bethany Davis Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for revitalizing Nicholasville's downtown.

As a city commissioner, she said Nicholasville began offering downtown grants to building and business owners for code compliance and business modifications.

Plans to support police and fire department equipment needs and assist with recruitment and hiring.

Supports renovating parks, including a pool, a splash pad, and playground additions.

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Bethany Davis Brown

As of October 6, 2026, Bethany Davis BROWN’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Advocates for revitalizing Nicholasville's downtown.
- As a city commissioner, she said Nicholasville began offering downtown grants to building and business owners for code compliance and business modifications.

- Supports renovating parks, including a pool, a splash pad, and playground additions.

Bethany Davis BROWN

The new Nicholasville Board of Commissioners –
Betty Black, Doug Blackford, John Collier and Andy
Williams – were sworn in December 18, 2008.

untitled (2009 Report to the Community)

Betty Black was sworn in to the Nicholasville Board of Commissioners in December 2008.

As of October 6, 2026, Betty Black’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

LinkedIn

Betty Black

As of October 6, 2026, Betty BLACK’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Betty BLACK

## Who I Am
I am a mom, a Nicholasville native, and an active community member.

Caitlin Lamb for Nicholasville City Commissioner – Life With Caitie

I have previously worked with small businesses and event organizers through blogs and consultations. I earned my associate’s degree from BCTC and my Bachelor of Science in mass media communications in ’24 while juggling being a new mom.

I earned my associate’s degree from BCTC and my Bachelor of Science in mass media communications in ’24 while juggling being a new mom. I am married and love my little family so much, and I just want our community to improve and be better for our children and their generation.

Caitlin Lamb is a Nicholasville native. She earned an associate's degree from BCTC and a Bachelor of Science in mass media communications in 2024. She is married and a mother.

Caitlin Lamb earned an associate's degree from Bluegrass Community and Technical College and a bachelor's degree in mass media communications. She is a married mother.

I am a mom, a Nicholasville native, and an active community member. I have previously worked with small businesses and event organizers through blogs and consultations.

Caitlin Lamb previously worked with small businesses and event organizers by writing blogs and providing consultations.

Caitlin has experience working with small businesses and event organizers through blogs and consultations.

SignatoriesThese candidates have signed the pledge to Demand Data Center Accountability. 
Each candidate listed below has committed to:

Call for an indefinite moratorium on new data centers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Reject campaign contributions from data center developers, operators, and lobbyists

Signatories — DDCA

Call for an indefinite moratorium on new data centers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Reject campaign contributions from data center developers, operators, and lobbyists

Commit to work towards a common standard for data center regulation at the highest levels...

Calls for an indefinite moratorium on new data centers in Kentucky.

Supports developing statewide standards for data center regulation.

- Calls for an indefinite moratorium on new data centers in Kentucky.
- Supports developing statewide standards for data center regulation.

Residents Over Developers:

• Infrastructure First: I am proposing a Concurrency Requirement – a development cannot be approved unless the necessary infrastructure (roads, schools, etc.) is already in place – for ex.: if the road can’t handle 100 more cars, we don’t build 100 more houses until the roads can handle 100 more houses! (Proposing this Summer!)

• Residents Over Developers – Growth isn’t necessarily negative, but all this unplanned growth has been a nightmare. We need development that respects green space, reduces flooding risks, improves traffic flow, and doesn’t overwhelm our neighborhoods. I want to help make sure future planning benefits residents first, not just the builders/developers.

Preserving our rural areas isn’t just about the aesthetics. It’s about sustaining the character that makes Nicholasville, and Jessamine County as a whole, a place families want to call home. I want to protect some of our green spaces and our local farms from being swallowed up by developers – so the next generation can enjoy the same town we fell in love with.

The Election Diaries – Caitlin Lamb for City Commissioner – Life With Caitie

Proposes requiring necessary infrastructure before approving new development.

Advocates development that preserves green space, reduces flood risks, improves traffic flow, and does not overwhelm neighborhoods.

Wants to protect green spaces and local farms from development.

- Proposes requiring necessary infrastructure before approving new development.
- Advocates development that preserves green space, reduces flood risks, improves traffic flow, and does not overwhelm neighborhoods.
- Wants to protect green spaces and local farms from development.

• Safety Matters – Our parks, skate park, and community areas should be places kids can enjoy safely, not spots parents feel they have to avoid. I want to work with our police, local groups, and city departments to improve maintenance, increase visibility, and create youth friendly programs that actually keep kids engaged and off the streets.

With so many scams targeting our seniors and families today, I want to find more ways on how the city can host simple, accessible classes that teach us how to spot a phishing attempt or a phone scam before it’s too late – even if we could allow groups focused on this, to use city space to inform citizens of these dangers, that would be a great thing to look into.

Plans to work with police, local groups, and city departments on maintenance, visibility, and youth programs in parks and community areas.

Wants the city to offer accessible classes to help residents identify phishing attempts and phone scams.

- Plans to work with police, local groups, and city departments on maintenance, visibility, and youth programs in parks and community areas.
- Wants the city to offer accessible classes to help residents identify phishing attempts and phone scams.

• Accessibility/Transparency – Many of you mentioned not always feeling heard or as informed as you all would like to be. As Commissioner, I will push for clear communication, easier access to information, which includes both online and offline efforts. I also want to make it easier for community members to speak during our city commission meetings.

More Transparency:

• Accessible Workshops: I’ll push to live-stream and archive all city workshops so you’re never out of the loop.

• Local & Small Business Growth – This town needs more locally owned businesses to shop from. I want to help make it a smoother process for local businesses to establish and operate in Nicholasville.

Plans to expand access to city information and make it easier for residents to speak at city commission meetings.

Plans to livestream and archive city workshops.

Wants to make it easier for local businesses to establish and operate in Nicholasville.

- Plans to expand access to city information and make it easier for residents to speak at city commission meetings.
- Plans to livestream and archive city workshops.
- Wants to make it easier for local businesses to establish and operate in Nicholasville.

Roads and Local Economy:

• Applying Pressure: A “State Road Dashboard” to hold Frankfort/the State accountable for delays on roads and projects, such as US-27 and KY-29. (Will take State cooperation!)

Proposes a State Road Dashboard to track and hold state officials accountable for delays on road projects including U.S. 27 and Kentucky Route 29.

- Proposes a State Road Dashboard to track and hold state officials accountable for delays on road projects including U.S. 27 and Kentucky Route 29.

Caitlin Lamb

As of October 6, 2026, Caitlin Lamb’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of October 6, 2026, Caitlin LAMB’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Caitlin LAMB

- Opposes city actions that support the development of a mega data center in Nicholasville.

- Wants the city to offer accessible classes to help residents identify phishing attempts and phone scams.

Opposes city actions that support the development of a mega data center in Nicholasville.

“I was blessed to grow up here. I would like everyone to know what
it means to be part of a community, and to take pride in that,”
said Knight, who was elected to the Nicholasville Commission in
November.

2023-2022 Report to the Community (Nicholasville)

Whether coordinating
Wreaths Across America,
participating in Jessamine
County Farm Bureau
events,
attending church activities
with his wife Wanda,
or serving on the City
Commission, Knight
will be a steady presence
among others who have a
strong desire to get things
done.

Charles “Dexter” Knight grew up in Nicholasville. He attends church activities with his wife, Wanda.

Many in Nicholasville know Knight from his 30+ years as an
educator, first in agriculture at Jessamine County and West
Jessamine High Schools, and later as Principal of Jessamine Career
and Technology Center (JCTC).

After retiring at the end of 2022 from JCTC, he accepted a
part-time position with the University of Kentucky’s College of
Agriculture, Food and Environment, and will continue his landscape
business and many volunteer activities.

Dexter accepted a part-time position with the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment after retiring as principal of the Jessamine Career and Technology Center. He previously worked as an agriculture educator at Jessamine County and West Jessamine High Schools, and continues to operate his landscape business.

Alex Carter Dexter Knight was elected to the City
Commission in November of 2022. Administrative areas will be
chosen in early 2023.

Your City Commission 2025-2026

Dexter Knight

Water and Sewer

City Commission - Nicholasville.org

Dexter currently serves on the Nicholasville City Commission. He was elected in November 2022.

As of October 6, 2026, Charles "Dexter" Knight’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to continue the Destination Development Committee's work to revitalize downtown.

Contributed to efforts to provide payroll incentives for fire personnel and police officers.

Plans to work with Parks and Recreation to improve and maintain parks, sports facilities, and youth development programs.

Plans to expand opportunities for public use at the recently acquired Lone Oak Club property.

Contributed to efforts to improve sewer infrastructure and support the East and West Jessamine County bike and pedestrian trails.

Charles "Dexter" Knight

As of October 6, 2026, Charles "Dexter" KNIGHT’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Charles "Dexter" KNIGHT

Johnny Templin is a longtime Nicholasville resident, community advocate, and problem-solver who believes local government should work for the people it serves. He is also a devoted father of six and proud Papaw to 14 grandchildren, all raised and graduated right here in Nicholasville.

About Johnny | Johnny Templin for City Commissioner

For nearly a decade, Johnny has been deeply involved in frontline community work as the founder and executive director of the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition, a local nonprofit that has helped more than 2,300 individuals stabilize their lives through housing support, employment assistance, and accountability-based programming.

Beyond nonprofit leadership, Johnny brings a practical business mindset to public service. As a small business owner, he has experience working with budgets, compliance, licensing, and operational management, while also supporting nonprofits across central Kentucky.

As of October 6, 2026, Johnny Templin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Calls for discussions about traffic, infrastructure, and housing affordability before large new housing developments.

Johnny Templin

As of October 6, 2026, Johnny TEMPLIN’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Calls for discussions about traffic, infrastructure, and housing affordability before large new housing developments.

Johnny TEMPLIN

Incumbent Patty Grose Teater – patty.teater@nicholasville.org

Teater has been on the City Commission since 2015. She is retired from the Jessamine County Board of Education, where she served as the student data specialist.

Jessamine County Local and State Voter Guide

Patty Grose Teater is retired from the Jessamine County Board of Education, where she served as the student data specialist.

Incumbent Patty Grose Teater – patty.teater@nicholasville.org

Teater has been on the City Commission since 2015. She is retired from the Jessamine County Board of Education, where she served as the student data specialist. As a commissioner and the Vice Mayor, she said, “My individual administrative departments are the Electric Department and the Meter Department.”

Patty has served on the Nicholasville City Commission since 2015.

As of October 6, 2026, Patty Grose Teater’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to focus on a new city hall, community center, downtown revitalization, and park improvements.

Wants to maintain and improve infrastructure while pursuing walking and biking trails.

Patty Grose Teater

As of October 6, 2026, Patty Grose TEATER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Patty Grose TEATER

Sutherland is the only new member of the
Commission. The former owner of Sutherland
Chevrolet and now an insurance agent, Sutherland
said he’d always had an interest in public service.
“When I left the dealership and got more involved
with the Chamber, I got excited about some of the
projects the city was working on and decided it
would be a good time to run,” Sutherland said.

untitled (nicholasville.org PDF)

As times progressed so did Sutherland Chevrolet. The dealership had outgrown the original location and on June 17, 1996 Sutherland Chevrolet opened in their brand new location at 1060 N Main Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356, where it currently serves our loyal customers. On October 1, 2009 Sutherland Chevrolet again was making a change when Peter Sutherland decided to retire from the car business and pursue a different path in his life. Don Gabbard and Louis Gaver purchased the dealership.

Our History (Sutherland Chevrolet since 1925)

Peter Sutherland worked as an insurance agent. He previously owned Sutherland Chevrolet and retired from the car business.

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) – Nicholasville voters narrowed a field of 12 candidates down to eight for the November general election and four seats on the City Commission.

Commissioners run at-large in non-partisan races. Voters cast ballots for four candidates in the 12-person field, which included three of the four incumbents.

The top eight vote-getters will appear on the November ballot.

Only incumbent Doug Blackford didn’t run again.

Incumbents Alex Carter, with 2,966 votes, and Patty Grose Teater, with 2,773 votes, led the voting.Bethany Davis Brown got 2,702 votes, Dexter Knight got 2,592, incumbent Betty Black received 2,459, Andy Williams got 1,825, J.R. Allen got 1,711 and Michael Garrett took the eighth spot with 1,422 votes, edging David Kibler, who received 1,326.

Gregory Bohett got 1,037 votes, Michael Harness 837 and Clint Sullivan 587, according to results reported t the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.

Nicholasville commissioners serve two-year terms while the mayor, Pete Sutherland, serves a four-year term. He will be up for election in 2022.

Eight people move on in Nicholasville Commission race - WTVQ

The Nicholasville City Commission was sworn in
December 17 by Circuit Court Clerk Doug Fain.
Commissioners Doug Blackford, Johnny Collier,
Pete Sutherland and Andy Williams began a two-
year term on January 1. Mayor Russ Meyer's second
four-year term also began that day.
Sutherland is the only new member of the
Commission.

Peter served as mayor of Nicholasville for a four-year term. He previously began a two-year term as a Nicholasville city commissioner on January 1.

As of October 6, 2026, Peter Sutherland’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Peter Sutherland

As of October 6, 2026, Peter SUTHERLAND’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Peter SUTHERLAND

- Your city commission is made up of four elected city commissioners and a mayor. Together, they share the legislative and executive duties of the city government. In some cities, they also have administrative powers. 
- The city commission is responsible for the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- The city commission passes and enforces city laws, oversees all departments of the city government, and passes the city budget.
- Most cities in Kentucky hold nonpartisan elections for city officials. City commission members serve two-year terms and elections are held in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Nicholasville City Commissioner

Candidates (8)

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Energy & the Environment

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