LEXINGTON, Ky. — In the nascent stages of the 2026 mayoral race in Kentucky’s second-largest city, a first-time candidate has surged ahead in fundraising, amassing over $100,000 while the incumbent mayor signals a deliberate pace ahead of her formal campaign launch. Raquel Carter, a prominent re al estate broker, reported $104,508 in contributions as of Dec. 1, dwarfing other Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government candidates and highlighting early divides over issues like housing and urban development. The figures, drawn from public filings with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and aggregated by The Lexington Times’ online dashboard, underscore Carter’s aggressive start since announcing her bid in April. As of mid-December, no other declared mayoral challengers have reported significant funds, and incumbent Linda Gorton, who is seeking a historic third term, has yet to file any contributions for the cycle. The nonpartisan primary is set for May 19, 2026, with the general election on Nov. 3, according to state election officials. The Lexington Times’ online dashboard Carter, 51, owner of Guide Realty and a vocal advocate for expanding Lexington’s urban service boundary, filed her statement of spending intent on April 18, committing to raise and spend more than $5,000 without exemptions. Her campaign, “Raquel for Lexington Mayor,” has since collected 321 individual contributions from 311 unique donors, averaging about $325 each. The total, net of any refunds or credits, positions her as the top fundraiser among all 10 LFUCG candidates tracked in the dashboard, which focuses on the 2026 primary. The bulk of Carter’s support appears rooted in Lexington’s real estate and business communities, reflecting her professional background and policy priorities. As principal broker at Guide Realty, Carter has emphasized housing affordability and economic growth, drawing from her roles on the Kentucky Real Estate Commission — appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in 2020 — and as president-elect of the Realtor Community Housing Foundation. She also chaired the city’s Board of Adjustment and led Lexington for Everyone, a group that successfully lobbied for a 2,700-acre expansion of the urban service boundary in 2023 to facilitate more development. Geographically, Carter’s donors mirror broader patterns in the dashboard: About 85% of contributions citywide originate from Lexington addresses, totaling $139,104 across 268 filings. Smaller amounts trickle in from nearby Nicholasville ($3,918 from seven filings) and Louisville ($2,053 from 14). Carter’s expenditures total $61,012, leaving $39,744 in cash on hand, according to public filings. Much of the spending has gone toward advertising and her “Listen to Lexington” tour, a series of community events started in September to build grassroots momentum. “I’m running to bring fresh ideas and inclusive leadership to City Hall,” Carter said in a May announcement, positioning herself as a pro-business alternative to the status quo. In contrast, Gorton, 77, a former nurse and longtime council member, announced her intent to seek reelection on July 30 but has delayed active fundraising. Her campaign filed a statement of spending intent the same day, anticipating over $5,000 in activity, but no contributions or expenditures appear in recent reports. A statement from her team, provided in response to inquiries about the fundraising gap, emphasized her focus on governance over early campaigning. “In her tenure as mayor, Linda Gorton’s focus has been on the business of the city of Lexington — delivering results for our residents and continuing the progress we’ve made together,” the statement read. “Mayor Gorton announced her intention to seek a third term as mayor, and she plans to officially kick off her reelection campaign in the new year. The mayor understands the importance of raising the resources necessary to communicate her record, vision, and experience to voters across our city, and she fully intends to run a strong, citywide campaign.” The statement highlighted Gorton’s history of winning as an underdog, noting she was outfunded in past races but secured landslide victories: 71% in the 2022 primary and a commanding general election win. In 2022, Gorton raised over $300,000 total, drawing from a diverse coalition including healthcare professionals, public safety unions and neighborhood groups. Gorton’s delayed start is strategic, experts say, leveraging incumbency advantages like name recognition and access to city platforms for visibility. Incumbents often wait to ramp up fundraising until closer to the election, avoiding unnecessary early spending. With approval ratings buoyed by post-pandemic recovery efforts, Gorton could quickly close the gap once her campaign launches in early 2026. The race’s early dynamics spotlight broader issues in Lexington, a city of about 320,000 grappling with growth pressures. Carter’s development-friendly stance — advocating for zoning reforms to boost housing supply — contrasts with Gorton’s more measured approach, which has prioritized balanced expansion and farmland preservation. Critics of Carter, including some on social media forums like Reddit, have labeled her as “developer-backed,” pointing to her industry ties and the urban boundary expansion she championed. “The Lexington for Everyone group she runs was pushing hard for that land grab,” one user commented in an April thread discussing her candidacy. Gorton, meanwhile, has faced questions about her age and whether a third term — which would make her the first Lexington mayor to serve three consecutive terms since the 1974 city-county merger — aligns with calls for fresh leadership. Her administration has touted achievements like the $40 million Legacy Trail extension and efforts to address homelessness, but opponents argue the city needs bolder action on affordability amid rising home prices. Other potential contenders have yet to materialize, though the dashboard shows activity in council races that could influence the mayoral field. For instance, Hilary Boone reported $14,637 from a single contribution for a city council bid, while Christopher Woodall raised $13,930 from 29 donors. No additional mayoral candidates have filed statements as of Dec. 13, but the registry notes the 30-day pre-primary report deadline is April 19, 2026, leaving room for late entrants. Overall, citywide contributions total $168,792 from 399 records. The next quarterly reports, due in April 2026, could reveal Gorton’s initial hauls. As the race unfolds, fundraising will serve as a barometer for viability in a nonpartisan contest where turnout historically hovers around 20-30%. Carter’s early lead suggests a competitive primary, but Gorton’s proven track record could prove formidable. “Voters have consistently trusted her leadership,” her campaign statement concluded, signaling a focus on merits over money in the months ahead. With five months until the primary filing deadline on Jan. 6, 2026, the stage is set for what could be one of Lexington’s most watched mayoral battles in years. The post Lexington Mayor’s Race Heats Up Early With Challenger Leading in Fundraising appeared first on The Lexington Times. ...read more read less