2026 Kentucky General Election

Bernie Wessels
Councilman Bernie Wessels, owner of Wessels Construction, has served on Fort Wright city council since 2008 and has resided in Fort Wright for 36 years. Prior to his time on council, he served as Fort Wright’s representative to the Kenton County and Municipal Planning and Zoning Commission.

Fort Wright City Council - LINK nky

Fort Wright considers raising mayor's salary - LINK nky

#### Bernie Wessels

Council Member

[email protected]
859-331-1700

Council: 2008 - Present
Resident for 40 Years

City Council - City of Fort Wright, KY

Bernie currently serves as a Fort Wright city council member and has served on the council since 2008.

As of September 15, 2026, Bernie Wessels did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Public Safety

Education

Economy

LinkedIn

Bernie Wessels

As of September 15, 2026, Bernie Wessels’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Plans to attract commercial development to help offset residential property taxes.

Advocates for state road redesign, corridor improvements, and sound barriers to address traffic, accessibility, and safety.

Said the city implemented and funded a long-term plan to repair, maintain, and replace all 98 city-maintained roads.

Pledges to provide police, fire, and public works departments with resources to maintain local services.

Plans to reduce local tax burdens and is cautious about tax increases, particularly for residents on fixed incomes.

Ross has professional experience in medical device sales and now teaches at Medical Sales College in Crestview Hills. She is also on the board of trustees for the Glengarry Homeowners Association. She was chosen out of nine candidates interviewed to fill the council seat left vacant by Dave Abeln.

Donna Ross joins Fort Wright city council - LINK nky

Donna Ross serves on the board of trustees for the Glengarry Homeowners Association.

Tag: Fort Wright city council - LINK nky

Fort Wright City Council has chosen Donna Ross to fill their vacant city council seat. Ross will be sworn in at the Oct. 15 council meeting.

Ross has professional experience in medical device sales and now teaches at Medical Sales College in Crestview Hills. She is also on the board of trustees for the Glengarry Homeowners Association. She was chosen out of nine candidates interviewed to fill the council seat left vacant by Dave Abeln.

Donna Ross teaches at Medical Sales College in Crestview Hills. She has professional experience in medical device sales.

After Recently conducted interviews and thoughtful and thorough deliberation by city Council, Donna Ross was selected from among nine candidates to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of long-time Council Member, Dave Abeln. Ross will be sworn in at the October 15th Council Meeting and will immediately be seated to fill Dave Abeln’s unexpired term.

Fort Wright Welcomes Donna Ross as New City Council Member

Ross will serve the remainder of Abeln's term, which runs until the end of 2025. She will be sworn in at the next council meeting.

City of Fort Wright names Donna Ross to fill vacant council seat left by resignation of David Abeln

The purpose of the special meeting is to have a second reading and potentially take action on
Ordinance 11-2025 adopting real and tangible property tax rates for FY 25-26; and to appoint Ms.
Donna Ross to serve on City Council to fill the unexpired term of Former Council Member Dave
Abeln who recently resigned on September 17, 2025. The regularly scheduled Caucus Meeting will
be held immediately after the Special Meeting is concluded.

Memo-Special-Council-Meeting-Council-Vacancy-and-Prop-Tax-rate-10.15.2025.pdf

Donna was appointed to serve on the Fort Wright City Council in 2025, filling the unexpired term of former Council Member Dave Abeln, which ended at the close of 2025.

City of Fort Wright names Donna Ross to fill vacant council seat left ...

Donna was appointed to serve on the Fort Wright City Council in 2025.

PDS Council

Fort Wright Council Member Donna Ross is running for re-election. In a recent interview, she was asked about her priorities for the upcoming term. Ross stated, "I want to focus on improving our community's infrastructure and ensuring that we have safe and accessible public spaces for all residents."

When asked about her stance on the proposed bill regarding the funding for local parks, Ross responded, "I fully support this bill as it will provide much-needed resources to enhance our parks and recreational facilities, which are vital for community engagement and health."

PDS Council - Planning and Development Services of Kenton County

Supports proposed funding for local parks and recreational facilities.

- Supports proposed funding for local parks and recreational facilities.

As of September 15, 2026, Donna Ross did not have a website or any information online.

Prioritizes improving community infrastructure and ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible.

- Prioritizes improving community infrastructure and ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible.

Donna Ross

As of September 15, 2026, Donna Ross’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Councilman Jason Collins will finish his first term on Fort Wright city council this year. He has been a resident of Fort Wright for 23 years and is a longtime community volunteer at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church. Collins was elected to council in 2022 and his time in city government has given him specific insight into Fort Wright’s functioning.

Jason C. Collins volunteers at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church.

QUESTION (for challengers): What qualifications do you want to highlight that will make people vote for you?

Jason Collins: I am long-time resident who raised my family here. I’ve been actively involved as a community volunteer at Saint Agnes for many years. I now work at a business located in Fort Wright. I have deep roots and many friends here, so I want to do my part to give back to the community I call home.

Candidates for Fort Wright City Council answer questions - LINK nky

Jason C. Collins works for a business in Fort Wright.

Jason Collins

Council Member

[email protected]
859-331-1700

Council: 2023 - Present
Resident for 27 Years

Jason currently serves on the Fort Wright City Council. He was elected in 2022 and has served on the council since 2023.

As of September 15, 2026, Jason C. Collins did not have a website or any information online.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done balancing the budget, reducing taxes, expanding commercial development, and addressing property maintenance issues,” Collins said. “[We work on this] in order to keep everyone’s property values high thus protecting their investment in their private property.”

Says the city has addressed property-maintenance issues to protect property values.

- Says the city has addressed property-maintenance issues to protect property values.

LINK asked Collins about his thoughts about the increased traffic concerns from Fort Wright citizens. He acknowledged that while their police department’s increased traffic enforcement, done at the request of council and the mayor, is one approach, it is not the only one.

“Many of our traffic issues involve state maintained and controlled highways and we are committed to continuing to address and lobbying our state representatives for traffic improvements,” Collins said. “In the meantime, the Fort Wright Police Department is stepping up patrols in key areas to make sure that traffic laws are followed and enforced.”

As for his goals, Collins sees himself on a trajectory of public service.

“I see my past service as a building block towards continuing to reduce taxes, provide high quality emergency services, retain and help grow our business base, provide safe neighborhoods, and continue to focus on street improvements,” Collins said. “We have the foundation in place already to continue to achieve all of these objectives.”

Committed to lobbying state representatives for traffic improvements on state-maintained highways.

Plans to continue focusing on street improvements.

- Committed to lobbying state representatives for traffic improvements on state-maintained highways.
- Plans to focus on street improvements.

Plans to continue providing high-quality emergency services.

Plans to provide high-quality emergency services.

- Plans to provide high-quality emergency services.

As for the city’s functioning, he looks at Fort Wright’s struggles with employee recruitment and retention. Just in the past year, Fort Wright has had to hire a new police chief, city clerk, finance clerk, and city attorney. Though they have also hired several police officers they are proud of, police departments like Fort Wright are at constant risk of staffing shortages.

“We are fortunate enough to have highly trained and educated staff members but they are constantly being recruited by other entities as a result,” Collins said. “Creating and maintaining a positive work culture, providing competitive wages and benefits are key components of what we do.”

Says the city has reduced taxes and expanded commercial development.

Claims the city has reduced taxes and expanded commercial development.

Prioritizes competitive wages, benefits, and a positive work culture to retain city staff.

- Claims the city has reduced taxes and expanded commercial development.
- Prioritizes competitive wages, benefits, and a positive work culture to retain city staff.

Jason C. Collins

As of September 15, 2026, Jason C. Collins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to seek resident input and develop a plan for the city-owned Fort Wright Civic Club property that benefits the community.

Claims the Fort Wright Police Department is increasing patrols in key areas to enforce traffic laws.

Justin “Jay” Weber
COUNCIL MEMBER
[email protected]
859-331-1700
Council: 2019 - Present
Resident for 55 Years

Justin “Jay” Weber has been a resident for 55 years.

Jay currently serves as a Fort Wright City Council member and has served on the council since 2019.

In an October 21, 2022 LINK nky candidate Q&A, asked about his chief accomplishments while on council, Jay Weber said: “We have improved and continue to improve South Hills Civic Club facilities so residents can have a facility to utilize at a reasonable cost. We have new city signage. We have revamped Volunteer Park and are looking to continue that trend with the city’s other parks.”

As a city council member, improved South Hills Civic Club facilities to provide residents with a reasonably priced facility.

As a city council member, claims to have improved South Hills Civic Club facilities to provide residents with a reasonably priced facility.

As a city council member, revamped Volunteer Park and seeks to continue improvements at other city parks.

As a city council member, claims to have revamped Volunteer Park and seeks to continue improvements at other city parks.

- As a city council member, claims to have improved South Hills Civic Club facilities to provide residents with a reasonably priced facility.
- As a city council member, claims to have revamped Volunteer Park and seeks to continue improvements at other city parks.

As of September 15, 2026, Justin "Jay" Weber did not have a website or any information online.

In an October 21, 2022 LINK nky candidate Q&A, asked about his chief accomplishments while on council, Jay Weber said: “We have continued the aggressive street improvement plan. This is on our web site for all to see. We use nationally known assessment techniques to make our decisions on each year’s tasks to tackle. This assessment matrix helps lower cost while maintaining and improving our streets.”

As a city council member, continued a street-improvement plan using assessment techniques intended to lower costs while maintaining and improving streets.

As a city council member, claims to have continued a street-improvement plan using assessment techniques intended to lower costs while maintaining and improving streets.

- As a city council member, claims to have continued a street-improvement plan using assessment techniques intended to lower costs while maintaining and improving streets.

In an October 21, 2022 LINK nky candidate Q&A, asked about the main issues facing Fort Wright, Jay (Justin) Weber said: “The main city functions that are always at the forefront are Police, Fire, and streets. The city has a very aggressive street replacement program, but inflation is cutting into that. The funds expended the last two years have resulted in less being done. Police protection is paramount. Retaining good officers and equipping them so they can function and be safe is on all council members’ minds. Fire and EMS is as important as police protection.”

In an October 21, 2022 LINK nky candidate Q&A, asked about the main issues facing Fort Wright, Jay (Justin) Weber said: “Police protection is paramount. Retaining good officers and equipping them so they can function and be safe is on all council members’ minds. Fire and EMS is as important as police protection. Again, retaining and attracting qualified individuals is always a priority. Acquiring new life saving technologies and training must always be addressed.”

Prioritizes retaining and equipping police officers so they can work safely.

Prioritizes staffing, life-saving technology, and training for fire and emergency medical services.

Advocates for staffing, life-saving technology, and training for fire and emergency medical services.

- Prioritizes retaining and equipping police officers so they can work safely.
- Advocates for staffing, life-saving technology, and training for fire and emergency medical services.

In an October 21, 2022 LINK nky candidate Q&A, asked what projects he would like to see accomplished while on council, Jay Weber said: “I’d like to see more of the above, and help the city attract city workers in all departments. I’d like to continue financial management practices so that we spend wisely and save the residents funds.” The immediately preceding answer described Fire and Police Department staffing, street improvements, financial management, South Hills Civic Club facilities, and parks.

Wants to help the city attract workers across all municipal departments.

- Wants to help the city attract workers across all municipal departments.

Justin "Jay" Weber

As of September 15, 2026, Justin "Jay" Weber’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a city council member, monitors spending to maintain city services, lower taxes, and save residents money.

Margie Witt has served on the Fort Wright City Council since 2017. She grew up in Edgewood and is a graduate of both Notre Dame Academy and Northern Kentucky University. She works at the LAM Foundation in Cincinnati. She has been active in the Fort Wright community for over 20 years and has served as a member of the City’s Vision Committee, a member of the Garden Club and organized the “Clean-up Fr. Wright day” for several years.

Kenton County Races - NKyTribune

Margie Witt grew up in Edgewood. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and Northern Kentucky University. She has been active in the Fort Wright community for over 20 years, including membership in the city’s Vision Committee and Garden Club and organizing Clean-up Fr. Wright Day.

Margie Witt named to Fort Wright city council to seat vacated by ...

Margie Witt graduated Northern Kentucky University.

Margie Witt works at the LAM Foundation in Cincinnati.

Margie Witt named to Fort Wright City Council to seat vacated by resignation of Joe Averdick

Margie Witt has been appointed to the Fort Wright City Council to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Joe Averdick.

Witt, a longtime resident of Fort Wright, has been active in the community and has served on various boards and committees. She was sworn in during a special meeting of the council on June 5.

Margie Witt named to Fort Wright City Council to seat vacated by resignation of Joe Averdick

Margie Witt
COUNCIL MEMBER
[email protected]
859-331-1700
Council: 2017 - Present
Resident for 31 Years
Justin “Jay” Weber

Margie has served on the Fort Wright City Council since 2017, when she was appointed to fill a seat vacated by the resignation of Joe Averdick.

As of September 15, 2026, Margie Witt did not have a website or any information online.

QUESTION (for incumbents): What do you see as the main issues facing your city?

Margie Witt: I believe the main issues facing Ft. Wright continue to be attracting and retaining qualified first responders. The safety of our residents is our primary concern and so many communities face this same issue. Secondly, funding for CERS is also a concerning budgetary issue.

However, community improvement is not Witt’s only focus.

“I think our primary responsibility is always the safety of the residents,” Witt said.

LINK asked her what she has been proudest of, working with this team.

“Our chief accomplishment is [the] focus on the most important services that the city provides to residents: excellent police, fire, and public works departments,” Witt said. “[In addition to] our continued efforts on road and infrastructure improvements and keeping taxes as low as possible.”

Prioritizes resident safety and attracting and retaining qualified first responders.

Highlights the council's focus on police and fire services as a chief accomplishment.

- Prioritizes resident safety and attracting and retaining qualified first responders.
- Highlights the council's focus on police and fire services as a chief accomplishment.

QUESTION (for incumbents): What projects would you like to see accomplished while you are on council?

Margie Witt: The projects I’d like to see accomplished are a continuation of current focus: constant improvement of services provided to residents (fire, police, roads, public works), responsible budgeting, and attracting businesses.

LINK asked Witt about the main issues facing Fort Wright today.

“I think our main issue is preparing for the future by being smart with city funds today,” Witt said. “[Also], retaining top-notch staff in all departments, providing high-level services, and maintaining our infrastructure plan will require careful planning.”

“While we welcome new business and support existing businesses, our focus has to remain narrow,” Witt said. “[This growth] is a result of excellent city services in the form of public safety, maintained infrastructure, and an involved community.”

Supports responsible budgeting and careful use of city funds to prepare for future needs.

Supports attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.

Believes in attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.

Supports keeping city taxes as low as possible.

Advocates for keeping city taxes as low as possible.

- Supports responsible budgeting and careful use of city funds to prepare for future needs.
- Believes in attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones.
- Advocates for keeping city taxes as low as possible.

Margie Witt

As of September 15, 2026, Margie Witt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to improve city services, including fire, police, and public works.

Aims to continue road and infrastructure improvements and maintain the city's infrastructure plan.

Plans to present city-developed traffic proposals to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The candidate profile states: “Councilman Scott Wall has served on Fort Wright city council since 2007 and lived in Fort Wright his entire life. He grew up visiting the Fort Wright Civic Club, and is now a member of the Community Improvement Committee helping to decide what to do with that property, among other public spaces.”

The NKyTribune election guide's Scott Wall entry states: “Scott Wall has served on the Fort Wright City Council since 2007. He is a graduate of Northern Kentucky Univerity and is a Senior Account Manager at Stand Energy Corporation.”

Scott Wall is originally from Fort Wright. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University.

Fort Wright council member resigns: 'This is a huge loss' - LINK nky

Opinion - Dave Hatter: Mayor endorses re-election of all six ...

Scott Wall works as a senior account manager at Stand Energy Corporation.

Fort Wright's staff directory lists: “City Council / Scott Wall / COUNCIL MEMBER / [email address] / 859-331-1700 / Council: 2007 - Present.”

Staff Directory & Elected Officials - City of Fort Wright, KY

Scott has served on the Fort Wright City Council since 2007.

LINK asked Wall what he thought should be done with the city-owned Fort Wright Civic Club property. Wall said, “The Fort Wright Civic Club was the center of the universe when I was growing up. So many of our citizens have cherished memories [there]. I do think that the Civic Club will continue to be a recreational gathering spot for the citizens, but whether it is in the existing building or a new building, remains to be seen.”

Said the Fort Wright Civic Club will continue as a recreational gathering spot, whether in its current building or a new one.

- Said the Fort Wright Civic Club will continue as a recreational gathering spot, whether in its current building or a new one.

The article reports that Wall said local government can encourage growth through “sensible zoning regulations.” Wall added: “[We can] encourage economic growth and also maintain the infrastructure to the highest level possible, which will attract both businesses and residents.”

Supports maintaining city infrastructure to attract businesses and residents.

- Supports maintaining city infrastructure to attract businesses and residents.

When asked about the city council's role in addressing traffic, Wall said: “Nearly all of our arterial roads are state or county owned. Continuing to foster our relationships with the state and county and keep[ing] communication lines open will be key as we work together to manage the flow of traffic through our city. This will be critical as the Brent Spence Bridge project ramps up.”

Prioritizes coordination with state and county governments to manage Fort Wright traffic as the Brent Spence Bridge project advances.

- Prioritizes coordination with state and county governments to manage Fort Wright traffic as the Brent Spence Bridge project advances.

The official council minutes identify the item as “Second Reading - Ordinance 14-14 - Authorizing Deer Hunting by Bow or Crossbow within the Fort Wright City Limits.” On approval of Ordinance 14-14 as amended, the minutes state: “Motion by Mr. Wessels, second by Mr. Hatter to approve. Roll call vote taken, Wessels, Hatter and Averdick voting in favor. Wall and Feinauer voting no. Motion carries 3 to 2.”

CITY OF FORT WRIGHT, KENTUCKY COUNCIL MEETING (OCTOBER 1, 2014) — PDF

Voted against authorizing bow or crossbow deer hunting within Fort Wright city limits.

- Voted against authorizing bow or crossbow deer hunting within Fort Wright city limits.

As of September 15, 2026, Scott Wall did not have a website or any information online.

The Fort Wright City Council announced passage of Ordinance 04-2021, which reduced the City of Fort Wright Occupational License Tax effective July 1, 2021. The city stated: “The City of Fort Wright’s current rate of 1.15% will be reduced to 0.99% beginning July 1, 2021.” Mayor Dave Hatter and Councilmembers Margie Witt, Jay Weber, Scott Wall, Dave Abeln, Bernie Wessels, and Adam Feinauer unanimously supported the tax reduction initiative citing the need to deliver upon a promise to our citizenry to keep taxes as low as possible and to ensure that Fort Wright remains business friendly.

Payroll Tax Rate Reduction - City of Fort Wright, KY

Supported reducing Fort Wright's occupational license tax from 1.15% to 0.99%.

- Supported reducing Fort Wright's occupational license tax from 1.15% to 0.99%.

Scott Wall

As of September 15, 2026, Scott Wall’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for greater transparency and accountability in Kentucky's pension system.

- 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.

Fort Wright City Council Member

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Fort Wright City Council Member

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