WUKY civics intern Gavin Breunig reached out to Council District 5 candidates to learn more about their campaigns. All three responded: Stephenie Hoelscher, Michael McLaughlin, and Nick Wolter,
Why are you running for city council?
Hoelscher: As policy director for the state Auditor's office, I led the team that counted untested sexual assault kits and was part of the effort to reform this broken system. Serial rapists were identified, survivors got closure, and more victims now submit kits. Because of this, I believe in the power of public policy to improve lives and communities. This is why I am running for Lexington's 5th District.
McLaughlin: I am running for Lexington’s 5th District City Council because in this non-partisan office I believe our city deserves a moderate voice with experience and truly independent leadership not recruited or backed by a major political party that delivers results. What sets me apart as the most qualified candidate is a combination of proven professional success, decades of community involvement, and a deep commitment to serving the people of the 5th District and Lexington.
Throughout my career, I have worked with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, leading high-performing teams and managing complex initiatives that required strategic thinking, accountability, and measurable outcomes. I understand how to set goals, allocate resources responsibly, and follow through to ensure success. These are the same skills our city council needs to provide effective oversight of city government, skills that directly translate to effective local government. I am not someone who will need time to learn how to lead—I have spent my career doing exactly that.
At the same time, my commitment to Lexington goes far beyond my professional experience. I am a lifelong resident of Lexington and for more than 40 years, I have lived in 5th District, been actively involved in this community, I’ve served in leadership roles with organizations like the Kentucky Youth Leadership Foundation and the Bluegrass State Games, and I’m a graduate of Leadership Bluegrass. I understand this community because I’ve been actively engaged in it for decades.
Equally important, I stay connected through hands-on service in grassroots efforts that directly impact families and individuals in need. I support programs like Backpack Buddies, Little Free Pantry Lexington, food programs through the Catholic Action Center and Natalie's Sisters. These experiences keep me focused on real needs, not just policy discussions. These experiences have kept me grounded and connected to the real, everyday concerns of our neighbors. I understand that good policy must translate into real improvements in people’s lives.
As for my leadership style as a councilmember I believe in listening first — I will support what 5th District neighbors say matters most to them, find compromise when viewpoints among our neighbors differ, so we can move forward together, protect the character of our neighborhoods, and help lead Lexington solutions shaped and supported by the people in the 5th District. Being a Lexington Councilmember is not about one person’s agenda—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.
In short, I offer a combination of experience, community involvement, and a proven ability to get things done. I am ready to serve, ready to listen, and ready to deliver for the neighbors of Lexington’s 5th District.
Wolter: I’m running because of my kids. I want to help make sure our roads are safe for them, that our parks are maintained and safe places to play, and that as they grow up, they have the opportunity to build a life here in Lexington. I also want to be part of the solution when it comes to housing, because right now it’s getting harder for people to afford to live here. I want my kids to have the option to stay, work, and build a life in the same city they grew up in if they choose to.
How do you stay connected with our local community and how will you strengthen that connection if elected?
Hoelscher: I stay connected by showing up. I have worked hard to put roots down in Lexington. I've served on the boards of The Nest, Planned Parenthood of Kentucky, and the Bluegrass Wildwater Association. I have been on a Fayette County Foster Care Review Board for a decade. I am active in the PTA, and volunteer with CKY Mutual Aid and other groups. If elected, my focus will be on the needs of my district and constituents, first and foremost. I will attend neighborhoodassociation meetings and engage with key civic, labor, business, and nonprofit groups.
McLaughlin: If elected, I will make it easier for residents to participate in local government by focusing on three key priorities: accessibility, engagement, and transparency.
My goal is simple: to make local government something people can understand, access, and grounded in the everyday experiences of our neighbors.
The 5th district’s strength comes from its neighborhoods and engaged neighbors who care deeply about where they live. My job is to ensure their voices are not only heard, but reflected in the decisions made at City Hall. I will listen—consistently and intentionally—and focus on what residents say matters most in their neighborhoods.
First, I will work to make local government easier to understand. I will support clear, plain-language communication about policies, budgets, and decisions.
Second, we need more meaningful and flexible opportunities for participation. Traditional council meetings alone are not enough. I will create more opportunities for small-group discussions across the Fifth District that meet people where they are, while expanding neighborhood-based meetings with both in-person and virtual options so residents can participate in ways that fit their schedules and everyday lives. I will advocate for initiatives to bring together diverse, representative groups of residents to learn about issues and provide recommendations.
Third, I will support ways to improve how participation works at a systems level. That means making public meetings more accessible, creating processes where public input is genuinely considered—not just collected. Neighbors should feel that their voices have a real impact on decisions.
Fourth, I will participate in civic education and outreach, especially for young people, to build a stronger culture of participation over time.
Just as importantly, I will bring these voices directly into the policymaking process. I am committed to finding pragmatic, local solutions shaped by the people who live here—solutions that have real support in the 5th District. That means not only listening, but acting on what I hear.
Wolter: I stay connected to our community by showing up, talking with neighbors, listening to their concerns, and having real conversations about what’s going on. That’s something I’ve made a priority during this campaign, and it’s something I’ll continue whether I’m elected or not. If elected, I want to make it easy for people to stay involved. I plan to host regular coffee hours around the district, keep an open-door policy at City Hall and invite residents to council meetings so they know how to be part of the process. For me, this role isn’t about sitting behind a desk. It’s about being present and making sure people feel like someone is actually listening to them.
What do you think is the most important decision impacting your district recently?
Hoelscher: The decision to adopt Vision Zero, a goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury accidents, and the subsequent formation of the STREEET Task force are the most important recent decisions affecting the 5th district.
McLaughlin: For the 5th District it's about focusing and prioritizing funding on basic services; traffic management and traffic law enforcement; improved road conditions.
For our city it's the above plus addressing in a meaningful way affordable housing, in-fill and redevelopment and economic development that safeguards our primary city government funding sources of payroll and net profits taxes.
Wolter: One of the biggest issues impacting our district right now is how traffic and roadway safety are being handled at the neighborhood level. From my conversations while door knocking, speeding and unsafe streets are the number one concern I hear. That’s not just my opinion, that’s what people are telling me every day.
We also saw it during the recent snow and ice. Our district got hit harder because of tighter roads and street parking, and in a lot of areas, plows just couldn’t get through the way they needed to. That created real safety issues for people trying to get in and out of their neighborhoods. To me, that shows there’s a gap between decisions being made and how they actually play out in neighborhoods like ours. We’ve got to do a better job closing that gap.
What’s one existing city initiative that you’d like to continue?
Hoelscher: Transportation safety is the top concern of many 5th district residents. To that end, continuing the work to achieve Vision Zero and implement the STREEET Safety Task Force Action Plan should continue.
McLaughlin: It's not as much about continuing an initiative as it is about restoring an initiative that was taken away from residents and that is restoring vacuum leaf collection to the 5th District and at least to its prior coverage in other parts of the city. This is important to reduce clogged storm sewers that flood intersections, streets and neighbors properties.
We need a consistent initiative by our police department to be present at major intersections, enforce traffic laws in neighborhoods and the city. Specifically, running red lights, blocking intersections, rolling through stop signs, rolling through right turns, speeding, reckless driving and motorcycle racing.
We need to see initiatives on improving road conditions, have city inspectors apply consistent standards and expectations for temporary repairs to the road surface on contractors who carry out utility repairs beneath our roads. Place specifications and requirements that manholes be lifted to be flush with the road surface when paving has to occur. Ensure that our snow/ice plan is responsive, consistent, repeatable and effective every time; making sure that the right oversight is in place and investments are being made in equipment maintenance; and funding is in place to activate contractors for additional assistance in major winter weather events.
Wolter: One initiative I would absolutely continue is the focus on neighborhood traffic calming and safety improvements. That’s something I’ve heard about consistently while door knocking. People want safer streets, and things like speed humps and better signage are a good start. I also think it’s important to keep the connection with neighborhood associations strong. That kind of communication matters, and I plan to continue showing up and staying involved. One thing I’ve also heard a lot about is leaf removal. That’s been a sticking point for a lot of residents, and I think it’s something worth revisiting.
How do you plan to incorporate Lexington’s large population of college students into the community?
Hoelscher: College students are vital to our present and future economy. We want them to stay in our community upon graduation. If elected, I would be part of an effort to jumpstart town-gown relations. The most vibrant, successful college towns have constructive, open dialogue with the universities to ensure issues like student housing are handled with both residents' and students' needs in mind.
McLaughlin: Incorporating college students into the broader community—especially in a place like Lexington’s 5th District (relatively adjacent to the University of Kentucky) is less about “bringing them in” and more about removing the barriers that may be keeping them separate. The 5th District should be a place where students and long-term residents don’t just coexist—they collaborate, connect, and thrive together. With one of the largest student populations in Kentucky, we have a unique opportunity to turn energy, talent, and innovation into real community impact.
Some practical things that come to mind are:
Continue to build on the strong partnership between campus & community, administration & city hall. I would also like to work closely with the University of Kentucky to expand service-learning and community-based projects that connect classrooms to real neighborhood needs.
Making Community Engagement Easy & Accessible. Students want to be involved but too often, they don't know how. I would refer to what I outlined in my answer to your previous question about how to stay connected with our local community and how I would strengthen that connection if elected.
Smart Housing & Neighborhood Integration, housing is one of the biggest sources of tension—but also an opportunity. We need to encourage balanced housing development that supports both students and long-term residents. We should encourage Neighborhood Welcome Programs to help student renters integrate respectfully. I would facilitate open dialogue to reduce tension around issues like parking, noise, and safety. Stronger communication leads to stronger neighborhoods.
The 5th District is stronger when everyone has a seat at the table. Students are not just temporary residents, they are future leaders, workers, and neighbors. By building real connections between students and the broader community, we can create a district that is more vibrant, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future.
Wolter: College students are a big part of what makes Lexington what it is, and in District 5 especially, they’re not just temporary, they’re part of our neighborhoods. I think it starts with better connection. Working more closely with UK, neighborhood groups, and local businesses to get students involved in events, volunteering, and things happening in the community. At the same time, we’ve got to be honest about the challenges in student-heavy areas; traffic, parking, and communication between students and long-term residents. If we handle those things better, it improves things for everyone. And if we do this right, more students will choose to stay here after school, which is a good thing for Lexington.
What’s one thing that you’d like the public to know about you or your campaign?
McLaughlin: Experience matters and we need to restore common-sense leadership and integrity to our City Council! Lexington’s 5th District deserves a moderate voice with experience and truly independent leadership that delivers results.
I am a lifelong resident of Lexington, and I have lived in the 5th District for 40+ years. My professional background is shaped by 20+ years of experience in the technology services industry, where I have had the opportunity to work with Fortune 100 and 500 companies on improving operations, led complex initiatives, and delivered on strategic priorities. Over time, my focus has been on helping organizations become more efficient, more accountable, and better prepared for the future.
Wolter: One thing I’d like people to know about me is that I’m an intentional listener. I really do value hearing different perspectives and understanding how issues affect people in different ways. That’s been one of the most important parts of this campaign for me. To me, listening is where problem solving starts. If elected, I’ll be a councilmember who listens first, takes the time to understand what’s actually going on, and then makes decisions.