Editor's Note: This story has been edited to correct a few factual errors. Dan Wu won an open council seat, not an incumbent. James Brown secured the role for 1st District Councilman at-large, not the role he already had prior to Election Day.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington voters made history by electing Dan Wu as the city’s first Asian American vice mayor. For years, Wu has focused on bringing attention to communities experiencing hardships and that need a voice in government.
Wu began his urban council bid last summer with the support of groups like Kentuckians for the commonwealth, along with friends, and neighbors. This is the first time Wu is running for a seat on the council.
Wu is among several minority leaders who will help guide the city of Lexington in the new year. Nearly 40% of the urban council will be composed of new members and will be represented by people of color and underrepresented groups.
This is the most diverse urban council the city has ever seen. “It is not just about what our faces are or what our races are, it’s about the lived experiences and background and the perspectives that we bring to counsel, and that is needed if we want to represent the city in the right way.” Wu said.
Affordable housing, diversity, small business efforts, plus public safety are at the top of Wu’s 2023 to-do list.
He said the city is growing rapidly and is attracting all types of communities.
“Lexington is a fast-changing city and we’re a fast-diversifying city. We have almost 200 languages spoken in Fayette county public schools and have a long history of being very welcoming and accommodating to refugees from all different countries.” Wu said.
Wu says he and his team knocked on over 24,000 doors and thanked supporters with 23,000 hand-written postcards.
“We took the opportunity to thank everyone for all their work because I literally couldn’t have done any of this without them.” Wu said.
The vice mayor-elect secured his win over current vice-mayor Steve Kay.
Along with Wu, others represent change in Lexington government. These individuals include second district council member Shayla Lynch, who defeated incumbent Josh McCurn, and council member James Brown, who secured the role of councilman at-large in the 1st district.