2024 Election Results: Councilwoman Shayla Lynch earns second term in 2nd District
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Shayla Lynch won a second term Tuesday.
Lynch, who was first elected in 2022, received 63% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Challenger Jacques Wigginton received 37% with 285 of 286 precincts reporting, according to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.
The 2nd District includes neighborhoods in the corridors of Georgetown and Leestown roads. It is has seen rapid growth in recent years.
A lawyer with more than 20 years working in nonprofits, Lynch has pledged to continue to fight for funding for traffic and safety improvements in her district, as well as more funding for parks.
Lynch also has pushed for reforms in housing during her two-year stint on council. She was a co-sponsor of legislation to ban discrimination against tenants that use government vouchers to pay rent, commonly called a “source of income” ban.
“I’m very exited to represent my neighbors again,” Lynch said.
She thanked her campaign team. “I’m excited to work with my colleagues again and do so some amazing things for our city.”
The Kentucky General Assembly ultimately voted to prohibit local governments from enacting source of income bans. But parts of the local ordinance are still enact.
Lynch also has helped spearhead a review of the city’s code enforcement regulations and pushed for more tenant input on boards and commissions.
All council races are nonpartisan.
Wigginton is a minister who has also held several positions in state government. He campaigned largely on public safety, saying the city needed to do more to address gun violence.
Wigginton, who served on the council from 2000 to 2006, also said the 2nd District needed someone with more experience to help it tackle such thornier problems as affordable housing.
He ran a very limited campaign and raised no money, according to Kentucky Registry of Election Finance reports.
Lynch, who ousted incumbent Josh McCurn in 2022, raised $13,177, according to Oct. 23 reports.
Council terms are for two years.
