Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden is one of a packed field of candidates in the race for Kenton County commissioner in district 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county (note: Although commissioners’ seats are divided into districts, they are elected at-large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them).

He will face Republicans Richard “Scott” Kimmich and Rebecca Reckers in the May primary. Whoever wins that race will face off against whoever wins the Democratic primary: either Jordan Baldridge or John Busse.

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This will be the first time Hayden has run for elected office. He’s lived in the region for about 10 years and earned his law degree by attending Chase College’s evening program while working for a software company. He currently lives in Villa Hills with his wife and three kids. Law school, he said, was where he first got interested in local politics.

“I really wanted to get involved into the local side of things because that’s where a lot of changes, I think, are more accessible for people,” Hayden said. “It’s very important to be involved in local politics.”

He was a member of the Young Republicans in law school, as well as the local branch of the Federalist Society, although he said he’s less active in Federalist Society activities these days.

“I really believe that young people who are involved with their community and involved in politics, they really should step up and really try to have a seat at the table and impact the next generation,” he said.

Hayden called this election an “inflection point,” given that incumbent Joe Nienaber is stepping away.

“I think if you look over the past 10, 20 years, the county has made a lot of progress,” Hayden said. “It’s in a really, really good spot… If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Try to stay focused on the things that are working, without trying to shake up the snow globe too much.”