A first-time candidate leads Mayor Gorton in fundraising in Lexington mayor’s race
A real estate agent and first-time candidate has out-raised incumbent Mayor Linda Gorton in the May primary race for Lexington’s top job, according to election finance reports.
Raquel Carter, who owns Guide Reality, raised $58,235 for the 30-day fundraising period that ended April 19. Of that $58,235, $20,000 was a personal loan from Carter, Kentucky Registry of Election Finance reports show.
In total this election cycle, Carter has raised $158,991.82 but has spent a lot — $115,074.20. In addition to the $20,000 loan, Carter had previously loaned her campaign $32,050 for a total loan of $52,050.
Gorton, a retired nurse who is seeking a historic third term as mayor of Kentucky’s second-largest city, raised $35,920 for the 30-day reporting period that ended April 19.
The majority of that money, $34,250.00, was from individual contributors. Gorton received no political action committee money.
She has $36,868 left in her campaign coffers heading into the May 19 primary. Carter has $43,917.62 left to spend.
Carter, who is also a former Board of Adjustment member, received approximately $4,200 from PACs. That includes $2,200 from the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices, $1,000 from the Home PAC and $1,000 from the Kentucky Realtors PAC.
Calvin Penn, Gorton’s campaign manager, said Carter started raising money in 2025, giving her a head start on fundraising. Much of that money is from personal loans or real estate agents and developers, he said.
“It was already reported in January that the Carter campaign raised $100,000 before the mayor even filed for re-election. What wasn’t reported was where the money came from - a large loan from the candidate herself, and the rest from big developers, realtors, and bankers,” Penn said. “That is no surprise given her occupation and apparent priority to push expansion of the Urban Service Boundary, a deeply unpopular position in Lexington.”
Carter said in a statement her campaign was being supported by “working Kentuckians, everyday folks, and hard-working community leaders.”
“I’ve been honored by the support I’ve received since the start of this campaign and I do not plan to take any voter for granted,” Carter said. “I look forward to contrasting my vision for an affordable, community-focused Lexington with Mayor Gorton’s record of missteps and mismanagement.”
Much of the primary election has focused on Gorton’s and the city’s lackluster response to major snow storms the past two years, the need for more affordable housing and how to keep crime rates low.
Gorton has a long history of being outspent by challengers and still winning, Penn said.
Former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilman David Kloiber raised $644,055 during the 2022 general election campaign for mayor. Gorton raised $152,860 during that same election cycle.
She easily won a second term in November 2022 with 71% of the vote. She was also outspent by challenger and former Lexington Police Chief Ronnie Bastin in her successful 2019 run for mayor.
Other five candidates raise little money
In addition to Carter, Gorton faces five other candidates in the nonpartisan primary.
The top two finishers May 19 will move on to the general election in November.
Darnell Tagaloa, who ran unsuccessfully in the First District for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council in 2024, has raised $3,744.20
Skip Horine, Ramazani Asmani, Gregory O’Neal and Christopher Huffman have raised no money, according to KREF reports.
