LOUISVILLE, Ky. — State Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, announced she will run for Louisville Metro Council to represent District 10, which includes Klondike, Bon Air, Buechel, Camp Taylor, Audobon Park and Audobon. Raymond opted not to run for reelection in her legislative seat and instead will bring her work to the Metro Council seat being vacated by Pat Muvihill, who announced last week he will not seek a third term.

“In my time in Frankfort, Republicans banned abortion and trans healthcare for kids, attacked labor unions, and cut state revenue by dangerous levels,” Raymond said. “I fought them every step of the way for the wellbeing of our neighbors. Now I’m ready to join a majority working productively to improve people’s lives. After years on defense, I’m ready to play offense.”

The three-term state legislator celebrated her policy proposals in Frankfort, which include Medicaid coverage for dental, vision and hearing, and funding for full-day kindergarten. She has also proposed legislation that would allow cities like Louisville to raise their minimum wage and to pass gun safety regulations.

“When Frankfort wouldn’t pass my paid leave for state employees bill, Louisville did it for city employees. When Frankfort wouldn’t pass my bill to find and mitigate the lead eating our kids’ brains, Louisville did,” she said. “Help is not coming immediately from the state when it comes to crucial Louisville issues like gun violence and housing-first solutions to homelessness.”

In running for Metro Council, Raymond said she would continue to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, labor unions and abortion rights. “I still want to represent my neighbors,” she said. “And I want to do it in the environment where I can be the most effective for them. I believe that’s Metro Council.”

The Democratic lawmaker added she would bring preexisting relationships with city council members, the mayor and members of his administration and community stakeholders, as well as knowledge of policymaking and the budgeting process.