January 6, 2026

Tina Burnell Announces Candidacy for Louisville Mayor

Louisville, Kentucky, January 6, 2026

Tina Burnell, founder of the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance, has officially entered the mayoral race, emphasizing the need for transparency, ethics, and accountability in local government. A Valley High graduate with a business degree, Burnell aims to restore public trust and manage taxpayer dollars responsibly. She joins a crowded nonpartisan field that includes incumbent Mayor Craig Greenberg and others, with the primary set for May 19, 2026.

Louisville, Kentucky – Former Legislative Aide Tina Burnell Enters Mayoral Race

Tina Burnell, founder of the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance, has announced her candidacy for Louisville mayor, focusing on transparency, ethics, and public accountability in local government.

Burnell, a graduate of Valley High School with a degree in business administration, has been actively involved in promoting open government and citizen oversight. She has volunteered with the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service program for seven years and received a presidential volunteerism award for her efforts. Her campaign aims to restore public trust, address perceived misuse of taxpayer dollars, and limit insider influence at City Hall.

She joins a growing list of candidates in the nonpartisan race, including incumbent Mayor Craig Greenberg, who has announced his intent to seek reelection, and other contenders such as Matthew Solomon Bailey, Bob DeVore, Lisa Holliday Harris, Shameka Parrish-Wright, and Jeffrey Yocum. The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026.

Background on Louisville’s Mayoral Election

The 2026 Louisville mayoral election will be the first nonpartisan mayoral election in the city’s history, following a 2024 change in election law by the Kentucky General Assembly. Incumbent Mayor Craig Greenberg, a member of the Democratic Party, is seeking reelection. The primary election will be held on May 19, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election on November 3, 2026.

About the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance

The Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance, founded by Tina Burnell, is a civic group that promotes open government, citizen oversight, and responsible use of public funds. The organization aims to increase citizen knowledge of Metro planning and design processes, the Land Development Code, the Comprehensive Plan 2040, and open records/open meetings law, working to promote greater transparency and accountability in the Metro government.

FAQ

Who is Tina Burnell?

Tina Burnell is the founder of the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance, a civic group that promotes open government, citizen oversight, and responsible use of public funds. She has been actively involved in promoting open government and citizen oversight and has volunteered with the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Volunteers in Police Service program for seven years, receiving a presidential volunteerism award for her efforts.

What is the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance?

The Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance is a civic group that promotes open government, citizen oversight, and responsible use of public funds. The organization aims to increase citizen knowledge of Metro planning and design processes, the Land Development Code, the Comprehensive Plan 2040, and open records/open meetings law, working to promote greater transparency and accountability in the Metro government.

Who are the other candidates in the 2026 Louisville mayoral race?

Other candidates in the nonpartisan race include incumbent Mayor Craig Greenberg, who has announced his intent to seek reelection, and contenders such as Matthew Solomon Bailey, Bob DeVore, Lisa Holliday Harris, Shameka Parrish-Wright, and Jeffrey Yocum. The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026.

Key Features of the 2026 Louisville Mayoral Election

Feature	Details
Election Type	Nonpartisan
Primary Election Date	May 19, 2026
General Election Date	November 3, 2026
Incumbent Mayor	Craig Greenberg
Other Declared Candidates	Matthew Solomon Bailey, Bob DeVore, Lisa Holliday Harris, Shameka Parrish-Wright, Jeffrey Yocum