Erlanger City Councilmember Rebecca Reckers will challenge incumbent Jon Draud for a seat on the Kenton County Fiscal Court in 2026.
Although both candidates have yet to file a statement of spending intent with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and paperwork with the county clerk, they have both verbally announced their intention to run.
“I’m running for commissioner because Kenton County needs fresh representation with a proven track record for pragmatic problem solving, sound fiscal policy and compassionate leadership,” Reckers wrote in a statement to LINK nky.
“I told the fiscal court this: I said earlier that I was not going to run again, but I changed my mind,” Draud told attendees to the Kenton County Mayors Group meeting on Saturday. “I am going to run again.”
Draud added that he planned on running on a campaign slogan of “feeling sparky” as a challenge to those who believe he’s too old to run – he is currently 87.
Reckers and Draud will be competing for a position as Kenton County’s commissioner for what will become the third district. Draud serves as the commissioner for what is now the second district. The fiscal court consists of three elected commissioners and the judge/executive. Draud has occupied the seat since he was elected in 2010.
Reckers is currently serving her fourth term on the Erlanger City Council. She currently works in risk management for Discover, experience she said gave her “a unique approach to problem solving and understanding,” at a candidate forum in October. She served as the founder and chair of the Erlanger Small Business Task Force and served on the council as it transitioned from 12 to nine members.
Prior to joining the fiscal court, Draud served as member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007. Much of his early career was in education: He worked as a teacher and a principal before serving as the superintendent of Ludlow Independent Public Schools. He also served five years on the Crestview Hills City Council.