Maysville/Mason County Candidates Divided on Responding to Solar, Land-Use Questions
MAYSVILLE, Ky. (Mason County Post) — As the 2026 election cycle intensifies in Mason County, a new point of contrast between candidates is emerging—not just where they stand on solar energy and land use, but whether they are willing to publicly say so.
A questionnaire circulated by the Facebook group Solar in Buffalo Trace Area asked candidates across multiple races to clarify their positions on two critical land-use issues: utility-scale solar development and broader economic development strategy. The results, now published online, reveal a noticeable divide in responsiveness.
A Clear Participation Gap
According to the published data, a strong majority of Democratic candidates responded to the questionnaire, while less than half of Republican candidates did. A related summary circulating on social media reported:
86% of Democratic candidates responded
42% of Republican candidates responded
While not every race followed the same pattern, the overall trend suggests a significant gap in candidate engagement.
Who Responded—and Who Didn’t
The response chart spans several key races, including:
Maysville City Commission
Maysville Mayor
Mason County Commissioner (Districts 1–3)
Mason County Judge Executive
Kentucky State Representative (District 70)
Some races show near-complete participation, while others reveal multiple candidates declining or failing to respond.
Maysville City Commission
Responded: Brey Foster, Victor McKay, Rick Lawrence, Tommy Marshall, Steve Chandler, Kirby Bennett, Laron Washington
Did not Respond: Ann Brammer, John Meng, David Irwin, David Cartmell, David Doyle
Maysville Mayor
Responded: Debra Cotterill, Robert Boone
Mason County Commissioner District 1
Responded: Rebecca Cartmell, Noah Kalb, Paula Cokonougher
Did not Respond: Glenny Riggs Jr.
District 2
Responded: Janet Garrison, Larry Fetters, Dwayne Sharp
Did not Respond: Jason Sheppeck, Henry Boone
District 3
Responded: William Lawrence
Mason County Judge Executive
Responded: Owen McNeil
Did not Respond: Max Moran, Peggy Frame, Eric Bach
Kentucky State Representative District 70
Responded: Charlotte Harris, Travis Huber
Did not Respond: Mike Fisher
This uneven participation cuts across both partisan and nonpartisan races, though the partisan breakdown remains notable.
Why It Matters
The questionnaire focuses on issues that are rapidly becoming central to Mason County’s future: land use, solar energy, and large-scale development projects.
These issues are not theoretical. The county is actively debating major proposals—including a potential hyperscale data center expected to reshape the local economy and landscape. Supporters point to job creation and economic growth, while critics raise concerns about farmland loss, environmental impact, and transparency in negotiations.
Solar development is part of that same broader conversation. Advocates argue it could bring long-term tax revenue, reduce agricultural runoff, and help stabilize the local economy.
Opponents, meanwhile, worry about land use changes, community impact, and long-term consequences for rural character.
Transparency as a Campaign Issue
Beyond policy positions, the response data is fueling a larger debate: Do voters have a right to know where candidates stand before Election Day?
Organizers behind the questionnaire argue that answering basic policy questions is part of democratic accountability. In their view, candidates who decline to respond are still communicating something—just not directly.
As one summary post put it, candidates who don’t engage may be “telling us something about how they view the voters they hope to represent.”
The Bottom Line
With early voting approaching, Mason County voters are facing more than a choice between candidates—they’re choosing between different levels of openness.
In a political environment shaped by high-stakes development decisions, the question is becoming just as important as the answers:
Who is willing to go on record—and who isn’t?
Want to read every candidate’s answer to the organizers questionnaire? View their website at solarformasoncounty.com