BEREA—Two incumbents are stepping aside in this year's race for City Council, clearing the lanes for some fresh contenders. In all, four incumbents, two appointees, and seven new candidates—many of them decades younger than the spate of candidates in the previous race—filed with the county clerk by Tuesday's deadline.

The top eight vote-getters in November will take their seat on Council in January 2027, and will serve for two years before the next election season. Council and mayoral races in Berea are nonpartisan.

Incumbents seeking another term include: John Payne, Steve Caudill, Ronnie Terrill, and Katie Startzman. Councilmember Barry Poynter, who was appointed in January to fill the vacated seat of Cora Jane Wilson, has registered his campaign, as has Councilmember Mike Barnett, who was appointed last month to fill the vacated seat of Steve Davis, who withdrew from this year's race last month, the same time he stepped down from Council.

Incumbents Teresa Scenters and Jerry Little are not seeking re-election.

Alex Sipple, a former tourism commissioner and founder of the outdoor adventure company, Get Outside KY, has entered the race, as has his uncle, Dan Sipple, a chiropractor. Alex Sipple's father and Dan's brother, Chris, also a chiropractor, won his race for county magistrate (District 4) in last month's primary.

Gina Hudson, president of the Berea Farmer's Market and crafter behind Threads of Hope, is in the race, as is Ali Blair, founder of First Friday Berea, and organizer of other community-centered special events. Leah Van Winkle, a program coordinator for the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute and permaculture advocate, has also announced her candidacy.

Teresa L. Wren, a county school bus driver who lost her bid for a seat on Council during the last election, is making another run. Brooke King, who is president of the Silver Creek Elementary PTO and is affiliated with Church on the Rock, rounds out the slate of 13 candidates.