Kentucky primary election: Who's running for Henderson City Commission

HENDERSON, Ky. — Eight candidates are vying for four seats on the Henderson City Board of Commissioners in Tuesday's primary election.

The incumbents on the ballot are Austin Vowels, Robert Pruitt and Rodney Thomas. Also running are Nicholas Whitt, Dwight E. Williams, Jay Randolph, Donald R. Bridges and Tre'Michel Perkins. Whitt and Bridges ran unsuccessfully for seats on the board in 2020.

More:Where can I cast my primary vote in Henderson?

The top eight vote-getters in this nonpartisan race advance to the general election, so all of the candidates will be on the November ballot.

One seat is being vacated by Staton, who is seeking to replace Mayor Steve Austin after Austin serves out his third and final term. Staton is unopposed in his bid for the mayor's office. The sitting mayor occupies the fifth seat on the board of commissioners.

Here's more on the commission candidates:

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Bridges, a 1982 HCHS graduate, is a former employee of the city's Public Works Department. In previous campaigns he has leaned on that experience to speak about the need for fiscal responsibility and a conservative approach when it comes to spending tax revenue.

Perkins, a political newcomer, lives in Henderson and graduated from Owensboro Catholic in 2015.

Pruitt is seeking his sixth term on the board. He opposed Austin in the mayoral race in 2018 and has been outspoken about a number of issues, including rates for utility customers. He graduated from HCHS in 1977 and has a background in carpentry and electrical work.

Randolph has lived in Henderson his entire life, aside from a stint in the U.S. army from 1988 to 1993. He owns Capitol Carpet Cleaning of Ky. In 2019, his daughter Chloe was murdered by her estranged husband. The family founded the Chloe Randolph Organization to advocate for people affected by domestic violence.

Thomas was first elected to the board in 2020 and is seeking a second term. He has owned Rookies restaurant and sports bar for more than 30 years and is a Western Kentucky graduate. He was born and raised in Henderson and is heavily involved in the local business community.

Vowels is a private practice attorney seeking his fourth term on the board of commissioners. He is a co-founder of Henderson Brewing Co. Among his key campaign issues are safety issues dealing with the environment and crime, keeping taxes low and working to improve housing supply.

Whitt, a Henderson native, is an attorney with a background in finance. He completed his undergrad education at the University of Kentucky and went to law school at the University of Louisville. He came back to Henderson in 2015 and serves on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations. 

Williams is a Henderson County High School and Western Kentucky University graduate who spent 30-plus years in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer. He has served in leadership roles in several civic organizations and believes his experience with logistics and management are useful in addressing the region's economic development.

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