Jeff Smith defeated Brian Barclay by 15 votes to win the open Crescent Springs mayor's race Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to unofficial election night results reported by LINK nky.
In Edgewood, Mayor John Link won re-election. In Lakeside Park, incumbent Mayor Paul Markgraf held his seat.
All three results are unofficial, based on election night tallies from the Kenton County Board of Elections as of 8:14 p.m. Nov. 3. The NKY Tribune noted the results have not yet been certified. The Kenton County Clerk's unofficial results summary is available online.
Kentucky mayors serve four-year terms, according to LINK nky.
Share of listed candidates’ votes
City | Candidate | Votes | Pct. (calculated) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Crescent Springs | Jeff Smith | 620 | 50.6% | Won |
Crescent Springs | Brian Barclay | 605 | 49.4% | Lost |
Edgewood | John Link | 2,179 | 66.3% | Won |
Edgewood | Michael Thelen | 1,109 | 33.7% | Lost |
Lakeside Park | Paul Markgraf | 611 | 60.0% | Won |
Lakeside Park | Jim Wilson | 408 | 40.0% | Lost |
Source: Kenton County Board of Elections via LINK nky, election night Nov. 3, 2026. Unofficial results. Percentages calculated from listed candidate totals and do not include write-in votes.
Crescent Springs: a 15-vote margin
The Crescent Springs seat opened up after Mayor Mike Daugherty announced he would not seek re-election. Daugherty made that announcement at the city council's April 27 meeting, according to meeting minutes.
Smith served on the Crescent Springs City Council before running for mayor. He formerly worked as a police officer and public works professional, according to a LINK nky candidate profile published in October.
During the campaign, Smith called improving traffic on Buttermilk Pike his "number one priority," according to the profile. He also said his motivations for running were "to improve the public services offered to the citizens while lowering taxes."
Edgewood and Lakeside Park incumbents hold on
Link, Edgewood's sitting mayor, won by a margin of more than 1,000 votes over Thelen. The NKY Tribune listed the winner as John David Link.
Markgraf, the Lakeside Park incumbent, defeated Wilson by 203 votes.
Council results
Voters in all three cities also chose council members. In Crescent Springs, the NKY Tribune listed six council winners: Robert "Bob" Flaherty, Bob Mueller, Carol McGowan, Mark Wurtenberger, Michele Hogan and Jeannine Bell "JB" Smith. Edgewood's council winners were Ben Barlage, Jeff Schreiver, Rob Thelen, W. Jamie Ruehl, Joe Messmer and Bridget Grady Spears. Lakeside Park's were David Wolfer, Tyler Gastright, Tom Bernheimer, George William Best, Adam S. Perkins and Michael Lippert.
