LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Craig Greenberg and Shameka Parrish-Wright advanced Tuesday to Louisville's general election, setting up the city’s first nonpartisan mayoral race this November.
The Associated Press called the race for both candidates after the two swiftly defeated a crowded field of candidates. As of 9:21 p.m. Greenberg had 51% of votes and Parrish-Wright had 27% of votes with 62% of precincts reporting.
Elected mayor in 2022, Greenberg has centered his mayorship and re-election campaign around public safety and affordable housing, along with a focus on downtown redevelopment and revitalization of the city’s lower-income areas.
Greenberg and his administration pushed several major development projects during his first term, including the proposed Slugger Field entertainment district, the reimagined Belvedere project and redevelopment efforts tied to Louisville Gardens and the Humana Tower.
During his campaign, Greenberg has also frequently pointed to job creation and increased housing throughout the city. Additionally, he boasts a decrease in crime and homelessness in Louisville on his campaign website.
"The results speak for themselves," Greenberg said Tuesday night. "The results show that we've been making progress in Louisvillle... but we all know, there's still so much work to do. And that's what I'm going to continue focusing on. We have to all work together and keep moving Louisville forward."
Parrish-Wright currently serves on Louisville's Metro Council, representing the city’s 3rd District after being elected in 2023. She is also the executive director of VOCAL-KY, an advocacy group focused on homelessness, criminal justice reform and ending the AIDS epidemic.
She entered the mayoral race in January. Her campaign has focused on community-driven solutions to public safety, housing affordability, infrastructure and economic opportunity. She also said she hopes to restore trust in government and ensure the leadership works for everyone. This is evident from her proposals highlighted on her campaign website, where she proposed the creation of a Department of Neighborhood and Small Cities Affairs and an Office of Government Accountability and Performance.
Parrish-Wright's political career is rooted in local activism. She was one of the most recognizable activist voices during the 2020 protests following the police killing of Breonna Taylor. She served as co-chair of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression during that time.
As a councilwoman, she has often criticized Greenberg for focusing too much on business and development interests, and in turn separated herself as a more progressive candidate with a grassroots approach to investments into Louisville neighborhoods.
"We had a short run as we were waiting for another candidate to get in," Parrish-Wright said. "So when I decided to go in (to the race) I knew what we were risking. But team Shameka who is standing with me — I couldn't have done it without them."
The two candidates will now face off in November to decide who will lead Louisville for the next four years.
Click here for the full Kentucky primary election results.
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