Union Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
John J.
Mefford
John J. Mefford is running for mayor of Union in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Chris Courtney.
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The race · Mayor
- 01Chris Courtney
- 02John J. MeffordYou’re reading
Background
- About
- John Mefford has served on the Union City Commission since 2006 and is its mayor pro tem. He taught chemistry at Ryle High School for 19 years before retiring.
After the ruling, John Mefford, Doug Bine and George Eldridge were appointed to the commission in February 2025. LINK nky · Feb 4, 2025
On the record: John J. Mefford
7 sourced01Experience1 sourced position
Said his years as a commissioner would ease his transition to mayor.
My almost 20 years of experience as a commissioner will serve to ease my transition into the role as mayor,”
Own statementLINK nky candidate profileLink
02Growth and development2 sourced positions
Said residents are calling for development to slow down and that green space is being lost while infrastructure is not keeping up.
Green space is being lost at an alarming pace while infrastructure is not keeping up.”
Own statementLINK nky candidate profileLink
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-10 approving the Drees Homes Union Acres rezoning on Old Union Road, as amended (passed 3-1, July 2026).
Council voteUnion City Commission minutes, July 27, 2026 (special meeting) · Jul 27, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03License plate cameras2 sourced positions
Said at a September 2026 caucus that he strongly opposes the implementation of ALPR or Flock technology.
Own statementUnion City Commission minutes, September 21, 2026 (caucus) · Sep 21, 2026Link
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-04 opposing automated license plate reader (Flock) cameras in Union (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Council voteUnion City Commission minutes, September 21, 2026 (caucus) · Sep 21, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-07, the FY 2026-2027 city budget (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteUnion City Commission minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Duke Energy franchise fee1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-09 renewing the city's franchise agreement with Duke Energy (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteUnion City Commission minutes, July 6, 2026 · Jul 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
John J. Mefford: their words and their votes on the same issue
Growth and development
In their words
Said residents are calling for development to slow down and that green space is being lost while infrastructure is not keeping up.
On the record
Voted yes on Ordinance 2026-10 approving the Drees Homes Union Acres rezoning on Old Union Road, as amended (passed 3-1, July 2026).
Jul 27, 2026 ·Union City Commission minutes, July 27, 2026 (special meeting) · Jul 27, 2026
License plate cameras
In their words
Said at a September 2026 caucus that he strongly opposes the implementation of ALPR or Flock technology.
Sep 21, 2026 ·Union City Commission minutes, September 21, 2026 (caucus) · Sep 21, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on Resolution 2026-04 opposing automated license plate reader (Flock) cameras in Union (passed 5-0, September 2026).
Sep 21, 2026 ·Union City Commission minutes, September 21, 2026 (caucus) · Sep 21, 2026
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