25 to watch in 2025: Lexington Councilman James Brown to be guiding force on new council

Editor’s note: The Herald-Leader is profiling 25 individuals we predict will be making news in 2025.

Who: James Brown, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilman

Background: James Brown was first appointed by former Mayor Jim Gray to the 15-member Lexington council in 2015. He served several terms representing the First Council District. The Lexington native and Paul Laurence Dunbar High School graduate was first elected to the four-year, at-large position in 2022. Brown has worked for Toyota, Lexmark and has spent most of the past decade in real estate.

Why 2025 will be notable: As one of the most senior council members, Brown will be a calming influence and a leader as the new council is sworn in come January. Five new members will join the council, which lost decades of experience when outgoing Council members Kathy Plomin, Preston Worley and Fred Brown chose not to seek re-election in 2024.

As chairman of the powerful Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Brown will be a key player in determining the council’s budget priorities and its agenda. Brown is also on the short-list of possible future mayoral candidates. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, who is in her second term, has remained mum on whether she will seek a third term.

What others are saying: “During his decade on council, James Brown has been a steadying influence. He quietly works to build coalitions, does not shy away from tackling some of the council’s most controversial issues including short-term rentals, land use and workforce development. He is not the first one to speak out, but a voice people listen to when he does because he’s given deliberate thought to the issue. Few members are as present as James is throughout the city or work as hard to deliver on practical, reasonable solutions for our community,” said Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, a former Lexington councilwoman who served eight years on council with Brown.

What Brown says: “In 2025, the council will face significant challenges, including addressing Lexington’s growing housing needs and continuing to right-size the city’s budget after the infusion of federal COVID funding. Additionally,the council will focus on enhancing public safety, improving digital access to elevate the quality of life in Lexington. Protecting our local assets and driving economic development in the region is a priority in the coming years,” Brown said.

What Brown says about mayor’s race: “In retrospect, I never aspired to pursue elected office. Yet, after nearly 10 years on the council, I’ve been able to work effectively with community partners to address local challenges and serve our community. The encouragement I’m receiving to consider a campaign for mayor is deeply humbling. I’m honored by the confidence placed in my leadership and will keep all options open as I explore the best ways to continue moving Lexington forward.”

Beth Musgrave

Lexington Herald-Leader

Beth Musgrave has covered government and politics for the Herald-Leader for more than a decade. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has worked as a reporter in Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Washington D.C. Support my work with a digital subscription