2026 Kentucky General Election

Incumbents Teresa Scenters and Jerry Little are not seeking re-election.

Alex Sipple, a former tourism commissioner and founder of the outdoor adventure company, Get Outside KY, has entered the race, as has his uncle, Dan Sipple, a chiropractor.

The race is on for City Council

Ideally, the campaign will help promote opportunities like those offered by Get Outside KY on Big Hill Road, a business that rents kayaks, paddleboards and other outdoor equipment and amenities. Operator Alex Sipple said the business has operated for three years, but 2020 has been the best so far, since many people were looking for ways to escape the confinement of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Berea Tourism Commission moves to create broader appeal for visitors – City of Berea, KY

Alex Sipple founded Get Outside KY, an outdoor adventure company, and has operated it. He previously served as a tourism commissioner.

The race is on for City Council - The Edge

As of October 6, 2026, Alex SIPPLE did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

The Big Hill Line could affect the watershed, the pinnacles’ view, endangered species, and tourism. The KRC sent a letter to the USDA rural development explaining that an environmental assessment must be completed. There is controversy and uncertainty about what is going on. A watershed study was done through bell engineering and revealed that the construction could have a negative impact on Owsley fork reservoir, but the report outlines plan for mitigation practices that would eliminate the negative impact by controlling. Alex motioned to get a second opinion through tourism, for an environmental study. Bill West asked about the cost for an environmental study. Alex Sipple withdrew the first motion and then motioned to look into the cost of an environmental study. Bill West Seconded. Passed Unanimously.

Berea Tourism Commission Minutes — Business Meeting — Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (PDF)

As a Tourism Commission member, moved to examine the cost of an environmental study for the Big Hill Line.

- As a Tourism Commission member, moved to examine the cost of an environmental study for the Big Hill Line.

Transportation & Infrastructure

On the issue of Flock cameras, most of the candidates who attended said they have concerns about privacy, but the response from city council candidate Alex Sipple (Dan Sipple’s nephew) was the strongest against them.

“I’m essentially not willing to give up our citizens’ liberty for a sense of security,” he said, adding that the city has “plenty of” police officers and that they have resources.

Not willing to give up liberty for security

Opposes Flock cameras, saying he is unwilling to trade citizens' liberty for a sense of security.

- Opposes Flock cameras, saying he is unwilling to trade citizens' liberty for a sense of security.

Public Safety

Education

Alex Sipple stressed that the funding is separate from the city’s funds.

“We just need to utilize that appropriately, and everything will be OK.,” he said. “There’s so much more creativity that tourism could be doing to utilize that tax money.

Calls for more creative use of tourism tax revenue.

- Calls for more creative use of tourism tax revenue.

Economy

Facebook

Instagram

Alex SIPPLE

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

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

BEREA — Plans for the First Friday concert series to expand across Berea are in the works, according to Ali Blair, founder and executive director of the community entertainment program.

First Friday concert series promoter looking to expand--more concerts, smaller venues

Gina Hudson, president of the Berea Farmer's Market and crafter behind Threads of Hope, is in the race, as is Ali Blair, founder of First Friday Berea, and organizer of other community-centered special events. Leah Van Winkle, a program coordinator for the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute and permaculture advocate, has also announced her candidacy.

Ali is the founder and executive director of First Friday Berea, a community entertainment program. She also organizes other community-centered special events.

Allison "Ali" Blair is the founder and executive director of First Friday Berea, a community entertainment program. She also organizes other community-centered special events.

Blair said this new format made possible by the additional Levitt monies is her “dream come true”. “I imagined First Friday as a night when galleries would keep their doors open late, people could gallery hop, and there’d be music all over town. This gets me back to where I wanted it to be from the beginning. We were focused on just one section of town, but I wanted to take this all over town.”

Blair said in her presentation she’s been wondering how to have a concert at Exit 77 off I-75 for people who live near there and don't have the same kinds of entertainment opportunities as exist downtown. Beyond music, part of Blair’s vision, she said, is “to build meaningful partnerships to address community needs beyond the arts, from food security initiatives and environmental sustainability.”

Plans to expand First Friday programming across Berea, with galleries, music, and events in more parts of town.

Wants to build partnerships to address food security and environmental sustainability beyond arts programming.

- Plans to expand First Friday programming across Berea, with galleries, music, and events in more parts of town.
- Wants to build partnerships to address food security and environmental sustainability beyond arts programming.

As of October 6, 2026, Allison "Ali" Blair did not have a website or any information online.

Now, the Levitt foundation is offering $40,000 per year in matching funds to produce 30 concerts (10 per year) over the next three years, as long as First Fridays continues to meet the Foundation’s guidelines and deadlines, Blair told the Commission. With the additional funds, Blair said she envisions not only attracting bigger name artists that will entice tourism from out-of-state, but also staging concerts and art experiences in more under-utilized spaces across town, at least four each concert season.

Said she envisions using additional funding to attract out-of-state tourism and hold concerts and art experiences in underused spaces.

- Said she envisions using additional funding to attract out-of-state tourism and hold concerts and art experiences in underused spaces.

Allison "Ali" Blair

As of October 6, 2026, Allison "Ali" BLAIR’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Allison "Ali" BLAIR

Allison "Ali" Blair is the founder of First Friday Berea and an organizer of other community-centered special events.

As of October 6, 2026, Barry D. Poynter did not have a website or any information online.

Barry D. Poynter

As of October 6, 2026, Barry D. POYNTER did not have a website or any information online.

Barry D. POYNTER

As of October 6, 2026, Barry D. POYNTER’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

## 2025-2026 Board Members

President: Brooke King

Vice President: Caitlin Lawrence

Secretary: Monica Baker

Treasurer: Jenni Prevett

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - Silver Creek Elementary

Teresa L. Wren, a county school bus driver who lost her bid for a seat on Council during the last election, is making another run. Brooke King, who is president of the Silver Creek Elementary PTO and is affiliated with Church on the Rock, rounds out the slate of 13 candidates.

Brooke King is president of the Silver Creek Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and is affiliated with Church on the Rock.

Thirteen individuals will vie for eight Berea City Council seats in the November general election. Brooke King, Dan Sipple, and current council member Katie Startzman, filed on the last possible day to run for council. King, a local business owner, has been active in the community for several years and is focused on improving local infrastructure and public safety.

13 file for Berea City Council, 3 vie for mayor’s seat

13 file for Berea City Council, 3 vie for mayor's seat

In addition to infrastructure, King emphasized the importance of community engagement and transparency in local government. "I want to make sure that every voice in our community is heard and that we are making decisions that reflect the needs of our residents," she said.

Wants local decisions to reflect residents' needs and include voices from every community.

- Wants local decisions to reflect residents' needs and include voices from every community.

As of October 6, 2026, Brooke King did not have a website or any information online.

When asked about her stance on the proposed infrastructure bill aimed at improving roads and public transportation in Berea, King stated, "I believe this bill is essential for our community's growth. We need to ensure that our roads are safe and accessible for all residents."

Supports the proposed infrastructure bill to improve Berea roads and public transportation, emphasizing safety and accessibility.

- Supports the proposed infrastructure bill to improve Berea roads and public transportation, emphasizing safety and accessibility.

Brooke King

As of October 6, 2026, Brooke KING did not have a website or any information online.

Brooke KING

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

Incumbents Teresa Scenters and Jerry Little are not seeking re-election. Alex Sipple, a former tourism commissioner and founder of the outdoor adventure company, Get Outside KY, has entered the race, as has his uncle, Dan Sipple, a chiropractor. Alex Sipple's father and Dan's brother, Chris, also a chiropractor, won his race for county magistrate (District 4) in last month's primary.

As of October 6, 2026, Dan Sipple did not have a website or any information online.

Dan Sipple indicated ambivalence about the cameras, saying the number of cameras has gotten out of hand and citing reports that 96% of all searches of the cameras in Lexington were conducted by out-of-state or federal agencies, but also stating a need to consider safety. “If we put up two or three cameras, maybe I could deal with it,” he said. “All of a sudden, we’re up to 10, 11. Guys this is crazy. I think there really is a need of it only because of the times that we live in. So we do have to think about safety.”

‘Not willing to give up...liberty for...security’

Said expanding the number of Flock cameras from a few to 10 or 11 is “crazy,” though safety needs consideration.

- Said expanding the number of Flock cameras from a few to 10 or 11 is “crazy,” though safety needs consideration.

The question, posed by the event moderator rather than coming from an audience member, asked whether candidates were in favor of repealing the tax. Most candidates said they would not repeal the tax but said they would look at how it is spent. The sole city council candidate to indicate he might be in favor of the tax’s repeal was Dan Sipple, who said the issue is the first thing he would tackle if elected. “We’re getting hammered everywhere,” he said. “I’m telling you right now, we’ve got to get relief somewhere for locals, for Berea citizens.”

Indicated possible support for repealing Berea’s restaurant tax, saying that local residents need financial relief.

- Indicated possible support for repealing Berea’s restaurant tax, saying that local residents need financial relief.

Dan Sipple

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

Dan SIPPLE

EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND

As of October 2026, I am in my sixth year as a council member for the city of Berea. I am chair of the Parks and Recreation committee and a member of the Public Works committee. During my time, our city has made numerous improvements in infrastructure, parks and services directed at improving the quality of life of our residents.

EXPERIENCE | 4bcc

John Payne is in his sixth year as a Berea City Council member.

As a council member, I have:

· Worked to add new parks, trails & shared-use paths while improving roads & public spaces.

· Pushed for improvements in new and existing ordinances to better serve our community, local industry, and non-profits.

· Advocated for Bereans at the local, county and state levels.

· Supported fair wages and hazardous duty pay to improve retention of quality staff.

Campaign Website

As a citizen, I have

· Worked on multiple expansions, renovations and projects for the public library.

· Advocated to make Berea an official Trail Town.

· Completed Leadership Madison County, Citizens Police Academy programs and numerous trainings.

As a council member, worked to add parks and improve public spaces.

Worked on expansions, renovations, and projects for the public library.

- As a council member, worked to add parks and improve public spaces.
- Worked on expansions, renovations, and projects for the public library.

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

I served on Berea City Council for six years. During that time, I worked towards improvements in infrastructure through the Public Works committee and in quality of life as chair of the Parks and Recreation committee. I have promoted our city in Frankfort during legislative days, supported the expansion of shared use paths and other city community improvements. I support our city government and its departments when its efforts serve our community well and I am unafraid to speak out when they do not.

Supports expanding shared-use paths and other community improvements.

- Supports expanding shared-use paths and other community improvements.

John Payne

As of October 6, 2026, John Payne did not have a website or any information online.

As of October 6, 2026, John PAYNE did not have a website or any information online.

John PAYNE

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

I love being a Berea resident- I’ve lived here my entire adult life. I grew up in Pennsylvania and New York state, but moved to Berea in 1995 to attend Berea College. My husband Michael grew up in Berea, and we chose to stay here after we were married. I graduated in 2000 with a BA in English, and have been involved in many different kinds of work- I worked at an educational nonprofit for several years supporting parent engagement in public schools, wrote “The Knitted Slipper Book,” which was published by Abrams in 2013, and founded Native Bagel Company in 2016.

About — Katie Startzman for Berea City Council

Katie Startzman grew up in Pennsylvania and New York state and moved to Berea in 1995 to attend Berea College. She graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is married to Michael.

I graduated in 2000 with a BA in English, and have been involved in many different kinds of work- I worked at an educational nonprofit for several years supporting parent engagement in public schools, wrote “The Knitted Slipper Book,” which was published by Abrams in 2013, and founded Native Bagel Company in 2016. I love owning a business that is located in downtown Berea.

Katie Startzman owns Native Bagel Company in downtown Berea. She previously worked at an educational nonprofit supporting parent engagement in public schools and wrote “The Knitted Slipper Book.”

Katie owns Native Bagel Company in downtown Berea. She previously worked at an educational nonprofit supporting parent engagement in public schools and wrote “The Knitted Slipper Book.”

Katie Startzman, a current Berea City Council member since 2020, is running for re-election with a focus on downtown development, small business support, and community livability. Startzman is the owner of Native Bagel Co. and Nightjar and brings the perspective of a small business owner to the city council.

Who is running for City Council in Berea in 2024?

Katie currently serves as a Berea City Council member, a position she has held since 2020.

In a recent interview, she was asked about her priorities if re-elected. Startzman stated, "I want to focus on improving our parks and recreational facilities, as well as ensuring that our city remains affordable for all residents."

Plans to improve parks and recreational facilities.

- Plans to improve parks and recreational facilities.

Wants to ensure the city remains affordable for all residents.

- Wants to ensure the city remains affordable for all residents.

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

When asked about her stance on the proposed bill regarding the increase in property taxes to fund local schools, Startzman responded, "I believe in supporting our schools, but we need to find a balance that does not overburden our residents. I will advocate for alternative funding sources to ensure our schools are adequately funded without raising taxes excessively."

Advocates for alternative school funding sources to avoid excessive tax increases while adequately funding schools.

- Advocates for alternative school funding sources to avoid excessive tax increases while adequately funding schools.

Katie Startzman

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

Katie STARTZMAN

I was raised in Florida and chose to return to Berea at 22 because I believed in coming home. Since then, I have built my life around helping communities strengthen local leadership, form partnerships, and turn good ideas into practical action.

Leah Van Winkle for Berea City Council

Her educational background is in Psychology (B.A.) & Global Sustainability (M.A.) from the University of South Florida and a Sacred Natural Medicine Doctorate from PanAmerican University.

Leah Van Winkle | Brushy Fork Leadership Institute (Staff)

Leah Van Winkle was raised in Florida and returned to Berea at age 22. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in global sustainability from the University of South Florida, and a doctorate in sacred natural medicine from PanAmerican University.

Berea.edu Brushy Fork Leadership Institute Staff

Leah Van Winkle

Program Coordinator, Brushy Fork Leadership Institute

She has extensive experience in direct action & community organizing, with a focus in food justice & land sovereignty through her work collaboratively co-running Permaculture Action Network, and housing & healing justice in her role project managing Cob On Wood, a self-sufficiency hub for an unhoused community in West Oakland, CA.

Leah works as a program coordinator for the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute. She has co-run Permaculture Action Network and project-managed Cob On Wood, a self-sufficiency hub for an unhoused community in West Oakland, California.

Care for existing public assets before adding new commitments.
Expand safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
Support walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Expand safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
Support walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Identify existing resources before creating duplicative programs.
Build partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
Create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

Build partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
Create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

Prioritizes caring for existing public assets before adding new commitments.

Supports expanding safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.

Supports walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.

Prioritizes identifying existing resources before creating duplicative programs.

Supports partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.

Wants to create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

- Prioritizes caring for existing public assets before adding new commitments.
- Supports expanding safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
- Supports walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.
- Prioritizes identifying existing resources before creating duplicative programs.
- Supports partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
- Wants to create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

01
Housing and thoughtful growth

Berea needs more housing choices without losing the qualities that make our town feel like home. I support clear planning, responsible infrastructure investment, neighborhood input, and practical strategies that expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.

Make development and zoning decisions easier for residents to understand.

Make development and zoning decisions easier for residents to understand.
Plan growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.
Support a healthy mix of housing types and price points.

Plan growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.
Support a healthy mix of housing types and price points.

Supports planning, infrastructure investment, and resident input to expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.

Wants development and zoning decisions to be easier for residents to understand.

Supports a mix of housing types and price points.

- Supports planning, infrastructure investment, and resident input to expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.
- Wants development and zoning decisions to be easier for residents to understand.
- Supports a mix of housing types and price points.

Plans growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.

- Plans growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.

As of October 6, 2026, Leah Van Winkle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Strengthen connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.
Support downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
Treat childcare, transportation, and housing as economic development issues.

Support downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
Treat childcare, transportation, and housing as economic development issues.

Supports strengthening connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.

Supports downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.

Treats childcare, transportation, and housing as economic-development issues.

- Supports strengthening connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.
- Supports downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
- Treats childcare, transportation, and housing as economic-development issues.

Leah Van Winkle

As of October 6, 2026, Leah VAN WINKLE’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Leah VAN WINKLE

Barnett owns Barnett Heating and Cooling, based in Berea, serving Central Kentucky. Effective immediately, Barnett will resign from his seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mike Barnett tapped by Council to fill empty seat

Mike Barnett tapped by Council to fill empty seat - The Edge

CITY HALL—In a special called meeting Wednesday night, the City Council unanimously voted to appoint Michael Barnett to the seat vacated by Steve Davis last week. Barnett was sworn into office by Mayor Bruce Fraley during a ceremony in the mayor's office on Thursday morning. Member of Barnett's family attended, as did Councilman Jerry Little, who nominated Barnett for the position.

As of October 6, 2026, Mike Barnett did not have a website or any information online.

Mike Barnett

As of October 6, 2026, Mike BARNETT did not have a website or any information online.

Mike BARNETT

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

Gina Hudson, president of the Berea Farmer's Market and crafter behind Threads of Hope, is in the race, as is Ali Blair, founder of First Friday Berea, and organizer of other community-centered special events.

Regina Hudson is president of the Berea Farmer's Market and a crafter for Threads of Hope.

Welcome Hokuto City delegates, plus, why Richmond has no fine ...

As of October 6, 2026, Regina Hudson did not have a website or any information online.

Regina Hudson

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

Regina HUDSON

After 17 years on Berea City Council, Ronnie Terrill has resigned from office. During their July 21 meeting, the City Council voted to bring in previous council member Vergil Burnside to replace Terrill and finish his term.

Terrill resigns from Berea City Council; Virgil Burnside to replace him and finish term

Ronnie Terrill previously served on the Berea City Council for 17 years.

Terrill resigns from Berea City Council, Virgil Burnside to replace ...

As of October 6, 2026, Ronnie Terrill did not have a website or any information online.

Ronnie Terrill

As of October 6, 2026, Ronnie TERRILL did not have a website or any information online.

Ronnie TERRILL

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

Personal

Caudill has lived in Berea for over 20 years and is actively involved in local community organizations.

Steve Caudill (Berea City Council At-large, Kentucky, candidate 2024)

Steve Caudill is involved in local community organizations.

Steve Caudill (Berea City Council At-large, Kentucky, candidate 2026)

### Steve Caudill-6

> Steve Caudill has served on the Berea City Council for a decade and brings experience as a Chief Auxiliary Services Officer at Eastern Kentucky University. Caudill’s primary focus is on making Berea a community where young people and families want to stay. “I want to make sure that Berea grows so that you all, as college students, want to stay here and that my kids want to stay here. I’ve always said that my goal is so that my daughters don’t have to leave Berea if they don’t want to,” he emphasizes.

Steve Caudill has experience as a chief auxiliary services officer at Eastern Kentucky University.

Steve has experience as a chief auxiliary services officer at Eastern Kentucky University.

Steve has served on the Berea City Council for a decade.

“This was a huge collaborative effort, it took our city council, our tourism commission, our builder Andrew Parson,” said Mayor Bruce Fraley. “This is a perfect example of what we can do as a city that brings tourists to town, brings visitors in, but also provides a recreational opportunity for local citizens.”

The bike park is situated on land that was originally part of the city’s industrial park. However, the land wasn’t suitable for industrial development. Since the property was already owned by the citizens of Berea and offered the appropriate landscape for adventure tourism, it was an ideal location for recreational development.

“This is an opportunity for us to show the region that if you build something like this, it won’t just benefit you through tourism, it will also benefit the citizens who live here,” said Steve Caudill, Berea City Councilman.

KYMBA

Silver Creek Bike Park Now Open

Supports recreational developments that benefit both tourism and Berea residents.

- Supports recreational developments that benefit both tourism and Berea residents.

As of October 6, 2026, Steve Caudill did not have a website or any information online.

Steve Caudill

- City council members make up the legislative body of the city's government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- City councils in Kentucky typically have between 6 and 12 council members. They serve two-year terms except in Louisville and Lexington where some members serve four-year terms. 
- Council members can be elected to represent a single district or the city at-large. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Berea City Council Member

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Berea City Council Member

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