Fort Thomas Councilmember Andy Ellison has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Fort Thomas Mayoral race.
Ellison will make his candidacy official by walking in the Fort Thomas Independence Day parade, inviting residents to stop him along the route.
“This city has given so much to me and my family,” Ellison said. “I want to ensure Fort Thomas remains the kind of place where our kids — and their kids — can thrive, just as we did.”
A graduate of Johnson Elementary and Highlands High School Class of 1991, Ellison served as the school president and was a member of the 1989 state champion Highlands Football Team. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northern Kentucky University and went on to build a construction and property management business based in Fort Thomas, where he has worked for the last 25 years.
Since 2022, Ellison has served multiple terms on Fort Thomas City Council, currently chairing the Fort Thomas Law, Labor and License Committee and sitting on the Fort Thomas Finance, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation Committees.
The news release said his time on the council has been “marked by a thoughtful approach to zoning, preservation, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring Fort Thomas keeps its character while adapting to modern needs.”
“Good governance starts with listening,” Ellison said. “I ran for city council to preserve the things that make Fort Thomas unique — its walkable neighborhoods, its excellent schools, its sense of community. As mayor, I’ll continue that mission with energy, experience and heart.”
Ellison’s connection to Fort Thomas runs through generations. His great-grandfather, C.C. Weber, was a founding leader and one of the early figures in shaping what became the city of Fort Thomas. His mother, Pat Ellison, served Fort Thomas Independent Schools for nearly three decades as a speech pathologist and reading specialist. His grandmother, Jane Ellison, was a founding member of the Fort Thomas Garden Club. His father, Nick Ellison, was a graduate of the Highlands and an active contributor to local economic development and civic organizations.
Ellison and his wife, Molly Ellison, also a lifelong Fort Thomas resident, have raised three children — Annie, Eli, and Drew— all of whom attended Saint Catherine and Highlands High School. The family is active in the Fort Thomas Lions Club, a tradition passed down from Ellison’s father.
“I’ve been shaped by Fort Thomas,” Ellison said. “I’ve worked here, raised a family here, and served here. I want to be the kind of Mayor who ensures this city stays strong and keeps getting better — not just for today, but for the future.”
Ellison will also have to file with Campbell County as a candidate in order to appear on the ballot in the May 2026 primary election. Candidates cannot file with the county until Nov. 5, 2025, and they have until Jan. 9, 2026.