Southgate Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

Mark
Messmer

Mark Messmer is running for mayor of Southgate in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Jim Hamberg.

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Nov 3Election Day

The race · Mayor

01Jim HambergIncumbent
02Mark MessmerYou’re reading

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Background

About: Southgate City Council member with a professional background in human resources. He has served as a Southgate volunteer firefighter, engineer and EMT since 1987.

Mark Messmer, a current council member, is running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Jim Hamberg. LINK nky

On the record: Mark Messmer

13 sourced

01Why he is running1 sourced position

Said his main reason for running for mayor is fiscal responsibility.
My primary reason for running for mayor is fiscal responsibility”
Own statementLINK nky Link

02Development tax deals1 sourced position

as reported by LINK nky; not a direct quote
Pointed to his votes against Industrial Revenue Bond arrangements for the Memorial Pointe and Sunrock Farm developments, saying they reduce potential city tax revenue for too long.
Own statementLINK nky Link

03Council's role1 sourced position

Said he would involve council members earlier in major projects and give them time to review proposals before voting.
Own statementLINK nky Link

04Property tax rate1 sourced position

Said his priorities include reducing city debt and pursuing opportunities to lower taxes.
Own statementLINK nky Link

05Police1 sourced position

Wants to move the police department into the current city hall and hold council meetings at the Southgate Community Center.
Own statementLINK nky Link

06Streets2 sourced positions

Asked to shift money budgeted for a police secure entrance to the street project before the bond is done; council agreed to put $30,000 toward the street project.
Own statementSouthgate City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026 Link
Voted yes on approving Parts A, B, C and D of the Riegler street project bid for Blossom Lane, Valley View and Tracy (passed 6-0, February 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, February 18, 2026 · Feb 18, 2026 Link How the council voted

07City budget1 sourced position

Voted yes on Ordinance 26-05 adopting the 2026-2027 city budget (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026 Link How the council voted

08Vape stores1 sourced position

Voted yes on Ordinance 26-06 amending the zoning ordinance on vape stores (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026 Link How the council voted

09Police pay1 sourced position

Voted yes on Ordinance 26-10 amending the police department pay classification (passed 6-0, July 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, July 15, 2026 · Jul 15, 2026 Link How the council voted

10Vision plan1 sourced position

Voted yes on approving the Vision 26-30-35 plan with changes (passed 6-0, August 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, August 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026 Link How the council voted

11Invasive plants1 sourced position

Voted yes on Ordinance 26-08 regulating invasive species (passed 5-0, July 2026).
Council voteSouthgate City Council minutes, July 1, 2026 · Jul 1, 2026 Link How the council voted

12Past races1 sourced position

Ran for Southgate City Council in 2024 (won).
Own statementCampbell County Clerk · Nov 5, 2024 Link

Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

Mark Messmer: their words and their votes on the same issue

Streets

In their words

Asked to shift money budgeted for a police secure entrance to the street project before the bond is done; council agreed to put $30,000 toward the street project.
Jun 3, 2026 ·Southgate City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026

On the record

Voted yes on approving Parts A, B, C and D of the Riegler street project bid for Blossom Lane, Valley View and Tracy (passed 6-0, February 2026).
Feb 18, 2026 ·Southgate City Council minutes, February 18, 2026 · Feb 18, 2026

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