Steve Hayden, who formerly sat on the Covington Board of Commissioners, filed to run for Covington City Council on Monday. The new city council model of government will take effect in 2027 after this year’s election.
“Having already served on the City Commission, I understand how Covington’s government functions and how decisions at City Hall impact residents,” Hayden said in his campaign announcement. “That experience gives me the perspective and preparedness needed to serve effectively from day one.”
Hayden formerly served on the Board of Commissioners as an appointed member, occupying the seat left open following the resignation of former Board Commission Member Nolan Nicaise, who resigned from the body in August of 2023. Hayden began serving as commissioner the following September and left office at the end of 2024. This will be the first time he’s run for election to the Covington legislature.
Hayden has a professional background in computer science and is a frequent attendee to public meetings, even though he doesn’t currently hold elected office. He’s also active in various neighborhood organizations, including the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative and the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association. He served four years as the treasurer of the Civic Association and five years as the chair and co-chair of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative. He also served eight years on the Devou Park Advisory Committee.
Hayden’s campaign announcement said his platform would focus on “economic growth, workforce housing expansion and efficient public services.”
“Covington is on the right track,” Hayden said. “We need to keep our economic momentum going, continue supporting our neighborhoods and make sure city services are efficient and responsive. That’s what residents expect, and that’s what I’m committed to delivering.”
Incumbent legislators Tim Acri, James Toebbe and Tim Downing have filed to run to the new city council, as of the morning of Jan. 5. Challengers Jay Fossett, Tom Hull and Cari Garriga have also filed to run. There are six open seats on the new council. Thirteen candidates must run for the council in order to trigger a primary election in Covington.
City council races are nonpartisan, city council members serve two-year terms and they can be reelected indefinitely. Read LINK nky’s explainer to learn more about the political powers and roles of city legislators.