Republican City Council Ward Three candidates debate local issues at forum

Two familiar names are running for Hopkinsville City Council’s Ward Three seat, and last week, the pair shared their stances on local issues at a forum hosted by the Hopkinsville League of Women Voters.

Ward Three Council Member Don Marsh is running for reelection and has represented his ward since 2023. His challenger is Ward Two Council Member Brandi Stallons, who was elected in 2025. During opening comments, Stallons shared that her family recently moved to a new home, placing her in Ward Three.

The pair shared their stances on budget priorities and investment needs, challenges impacting the city and council member salary raises. Marsh and Stallons agreed that funding public safety is their top priority. However, Marsh believes their budget creation process should be reviewed by city agency leaders to help ensure their funding needs are met.

Stallons says she would like to develop a program similar to the Legacy Hopkinsville Rental Rehabilitation Incentives Program that can serve all city residents. The Legacy program focuses on ensuring rental properties are up to code and energy efficient, but it’s only available in inner-city areas.

Earlier this year, a proposed salary raise for council members became a hot topic. A $7,500 raise was proposed, but council members approved a 3% raise instead. The pair was asked if they would support a future salary increase above a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Marsh is firmly against the pay raise and believes council member salary raises should be on par with city staff wage changes.

On the other hand, Stallons says citizens should have a voice if a proposed pay raise exceeds COLA.

Turning toward challenges impacting the city, Marsh says the quality of life and housing accessibility are two obstacles hindering Hopkinsville’s growth. Stallons says a lack of inclusion, as well as addiction and mental health issues, are the city’s biggest challenges and impact the quality of life.

Stallons says making mental healthcare more accessible could help address other local issues such as addiction.

The primary election is on May 19, and the full forum is available on Facebook at League of Women Voters – Hopkinsville, KY.