Bellevue City Attorney David Fessler has announced his intent to enter into the 2026 Bellevue Mayoral race.
Fessler has practiced law for 39 years, including the last six and a half as city attorney. He and his wife, Jill, parents of four adult sons, are long-time residents of Bellevue.
“I want to be a mayor who will capitalize on the great strengths of our residents and businesses,” Fessler said in the news release. “One of our strengths is how our residents and businesspeople are so welcoming, and how we’re not divided by social or economic class. I want to parlay that advantage to help us compete in the modern marketplace of small cities.”
Fessler was born just across the city line in Dayton. He is a graduate of Sacred Heart School, Bellevue High School and Eastern Kentucky University, where he graduated with honors. He also graduated with honors from NKU’s Chase Law School in 1986.
Fessler was a member of Bellevue High School’s state championship football team in 1977 and of the Bellevue mile relay team that was runner-up in the Kentucky state track meet the same year.
“I’m looking forward to the campaign,” he said. “It’s a chance to renew old friendships and make new ones. The campaign is also a process of self-education. I want to hear all the good ideas our people have for moving our city forward.”
Fessler 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.