Lexington City Council Welcomes New Member Amy Beasley for 8th District Seat

Lexington is set to welcome a new member to its City Council as pharmacy technician Amy Beasley has emerged as the sole candidate for the 8th Council District seat. Beasley will succeed Fred Brown, who is stepping down after five terms on the council. The election is particularly notable as it is rare for a newcomer to run unopposed in Lexington council races.

Beasley, a Lexington native and the mother of four, aims to bring her experience in community and political engagement to the role. Prior to this candidacy, she attempted to secure the same council seat in 2014 and ran for the Fayette County School Board in 2020. Despite her setbacks, her commitment to public service has remained steadfast.

An advocate for education and community welfare, Beasley dropped out of high school but later earned her GED, followed by an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Having worked for Kroger for 20 years, she is also a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, where she has held positions such as chief steward. Currently, Beasley serves as the president of the Bluegrass Central Labor Council and the Tates Creek High School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). All of her children graduated from Tates Creek High School, further emphasizing her connection to the community.

As she prepares to take office in January, Beasley has outlined key priorities for her tenure. Addressing food insecurity and mental health issues among youth are at the forefront of her agenda. “I want to work on food insecurity and mental health of our kids,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of outreach and programming to combat gun violence and support young people. With 17 recorded homicides this year, she stressed that “that’s 17 too many.”

Affordable housing is another critical issue Beasley intends to tackle. “I think we are going to have to have more conversations with landlords, tenants, and builders,” she noted, recognizing that the current housing landscape often excludes those who cannot afford expensive homes.

Due to her uncontested candidacy, Beasley has had the opportunity to engage extensively with retiring councilman Brown, including a recent tour of district parks. She has also been proactive in attending neighborhood association meetings to familiarize herself with community concerns.

Amy Beasley’s unique background and commitment to her district suggest a promising start as the new council member for Lexington’s 8th Council District.