COVINGTON, Ky. – Covington Mayor Ron Washington says his list of priorities for 2025 include improving access to affordable housing, supporting local businesses, and ensuring the success of the Covington Central Riverfront neighborhood development project. He would also like to see a joint recreation commission, in partnership with the local school district, that will create more activities and programs for youth.
His philosophy includes a mentality open to stronger collaboration at all levels. And his goal is to look for ways to spread Covington’s momentum throughout the City.
Mayor Washington says the Northern Kentucky city of more than 41,000 is a welcoming community that thrives on its diversity.
Mayor Washington came up through the ranks of law enforcement, becoming Chief Deputy Sheriff in Kenton County, where his title of “colonel” still marks him as the highest-ranking Black officer in Northern Kentucky’s history. In every role he has held, he has fought to give a voice to those long sidelined by the systems that shape their lives.
“Covington is a city of hope, of resilience and of strength,” Mayor Washington said at the swearing-in ceremony for the City’s new Board of Commissioners earlier this year.
“But not everyone is feeling the joy of that momentum. The benefit of (newly created) jobs and that energy has yet to make its way to all our neighborhoods and our families. Believe me, I see that.”
In his remarks, he talked about his background growing up in Covington, his career in law enforcement, what it means to be the only African American to ever be elected as mayor in any of Kentucky’s largest five cities, Covington’s evolution, and his vision for the city, its economy, and its residents. A graduate of Covington’s Holmes High School, Mayor Washington grew up in a city that had seen both prosperity and struggle.
Mayor Washington came to Covington as a foster child and was later adopted by his foster mother, Anna Washington, a woman whose unwavering commitment to others shaped the foundation of his own service, he said. He understood the barriers to housing, education, and economic opportunity were not just realities, but the byproducts of systemic neglect. And he knew that without bold, committed leadership, those barriers would remain.
Mayor Washington was elected to the Covington Board of Commissioners in 2016, where he joined local boards, listened to community concerns, and put people first.
The new mayor made clear that Covington will continue to partner with leaders at all levels, from Kentucky’s federal delegation to Gov. Andy Beshear to state legislators like Sen. Chris McDaniel and Rep. Stephanie Dietz to Kenton County Judge-Executive Kris Knochelmann and other county officials to mayors in other cities, not to mention business groups, regional growth agencies, civic organizations, government agencies, and faith, school and social service organizations.
“Collaboration is key, and by working together on projects from the very beginning we can achieve even greater results,” Mayor Washington said. “We want you to be involved in our city, but we need you to understand our values. We will fight hard for our city, and we want you right beside us.”
Mayor Washington says housing is one of the main concerns for many people in Covington.
“People need a place to stay,” he recently told reporters. “Families have people sleeping on their couches, sleeping in basements, these are hard-working, tax-producing citizens. So, this is not just a Covington problem. It’s a nationwide problem, but here in Covington, we’re going to do our best to address it.”
Mayor Washington said the City has people who are productive, but not in reach of housing, and that about 800 housing units will be needed to help them reach the goal of having their own home. There is also a special need for housing for the elderly, he added, He noted City officials are working with private and non-profit developers to turn around the 200 vacant properties in the City. The improvements would enhance neighborhoods and build the City’s affordable housing stock.
Important also, Mayor Washington said, is the continued support of Covington’s Central Riverfront. The site where a former IRS facility once stood is expected to include a luxury hotel, offices, retail, and entertainment spaces, along with more than 250 market-rate apartments, 16 townhomes, Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon Chase Law School, and the Northern Kentucky branch of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine; Expansion of the Covington Convention Center is also in the plans.
Mayor Washington said the City’s Central Business District is doing well and new restaurants are popping up in redeveloped spaces.
“As we build our tax base on the north end, we can help with those vital services in the rest of our city,” he said. “In all of those neighborhoods, we can provide blacktop, we can provide police officers, firefighters, equipment, better parks, better recreation, so this is important for all of Covington.”
Mayor Washington said his candidacy wasn’t just about him. It was about the city he loves that had long been divided along racial, economic and social lines.
“As mayor my job is to embrace all of diverse aspects of the city, for in diversity there is strength. I feel I can do that because this city is not divided like it used to be.” he said.
Mayor Washington added he is humbled that Covington is the first major city in Kentucky to elect an African American mayor. “But I don’t think about it all the time because I believe I was elected because of my qualifications and people here know me, and they know I care about the city. However, it’s not lost on me that I am the first African American Mayor of Covington, and I know a lot of people rooting for me to succeed.”