Alexandria followed suit with other cities across Northern Kentucky last week in adopting a resolution stating its opposition to House and Senate bills 50.
The companion bills would require local candidates, such as mayors, council members, school board members, etc., to publicly declare party membership and undergo a primary election. Currently, those types of elections are nonpartisan races.
The Kentucky General Assembly introduced the bills in January. They are still in committee, and no action has been taken.
The city said in the resolution that it sees no significant benefit to requiring partisan elections that would warrant the additional cost and challenges presented by the requirements.
Alexandria Mayor Andy Schabell said he had seen many other cities around the region publicly opposing the bills. Cities like Villa Hills, Walton, and Ludlow have passed similar resolutions, and Schabell said he expects more to follow.
One area of concern for the city is the bill creating an even greater challenge of finding candidates to run for elected positions.
“I’m adamantly opposed to this,” Schabell said. “We only had five people sign up for six spots this past year.”
He continued that newly elected council member Bob Strong, among others, agreed to be the write-in candidate. Strong was elected to the sixth seat on the council in the November general election.
“Having an extra step as a primary will just further turn away and separate the residents of Alexandria,” Schabell said. “The decisions that I have made on council as mayor for four years has never been a partisan decision. It’s always been what’s best for the residents of Alexandria.”
House Bill 50 has been introduced to the committee on committees and might be assigned to a different one sometime during the regular session, which ends March 30.
Until then, Schabell said he urges residents to contact their representatives and senators about the bills.
