Betsy Ruhe
Betsy Ruhe (Democratic Party) is a member of the Louisville City Council in Kentucky, representing District 21. She assumed office on January 2, 2023. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Ruhe is running for re-election to the Louisville City Council to represent District 21 in Kentucky. She is on the ballot in the primary on May 19, 2026.[source]
Biography
Betsy Ruhe was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1986 to 1992. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville in 1985, additional education from Bellarmine University in 1999, and a graduate degree in sustainability from the University of Louisville in 2017. Her career experience includes working as an educator and in retail. Ruhe has been affiliated with Beechmont Neighborhood Association and Kentucky Retired Teachers Association.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Louisville, Kentucky (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Nonpartisan primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Nonpartisan primary election for Louisville Metro Council District 21
Incumbent Betsy Ruhe (Nonpartisan), Savannah Hughes (Nonpartisan), Lonnie Joseph (Nonpartisan), and Ben Spalding (Nonpartisan) are running in the primary for Louisville Metro Council District 21 on May 19, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Betsy Ruhe (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Savannah Hughes (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Lonnie Joseph (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Ben Spalding (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kimberly Abrams (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
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2022
See also: City elections in Louisville, Kentucky (2022)
General election
General election for Louisville Metro Council District 21
Betsy Ruhe defeated Stephen Dattilo Jr. and John Witt in the general election for Louisville Metro Council District 21 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Betsy Ruhe (D) | 60.4 | 4,385 | |
| Stephen Dattilo Jr. (R) | 34.6 | 2,507 | ||
| John Witt (Independent) | 4.8 | 347 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 17 | ||
| Total votes: 7,256 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Betsy Ruhe advanced from the Democratic primary for Louisville Metro Council District 21.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Louisville Metro Council District 21
Stephen Dattilo Jr. defeated Irina Baptiste in the Republican primary for Louisville Metro Council District 21 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephen Dattilo Jr. | 64.3 | 489 | |
| Irina Baptiste | 35.7 | 272 | ||
| Total votes: 761 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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You can ask Betsy Ruhe to fill out this survey by using the button below or emailing betsy@ruheformetro21.com.
Campaign website
Ruhe's campaign website stated the following:
Reliable and Proactive Constituent Service
Local government should be accessible. Betsy is in the office nearly every day, along with Council 21 office staff, responding personally to emails and calls. When residents raise concerns, she works directly with city departments — and often shows up in person — to make sure problems are addressed.
Results include:
- Hundreds of constituent service requests resolved
- Action on illegal dumping, drainage issues, unsafe traffic conditions, and property complaints
- Consistent follow-up so residents know where things stand
- Betsy and her staff regularly go door-to-door to invite residents to special meetings that affect them.
Public Safety and Crime Prevention
Public safety is a top concern in District 21. Betsy’s focus has been on practical, preventative steps that improve safety, coordination, and communication — not just reactive responses.
Her work includes:
- Regular coordination with LMPD and Public Safety officials to address break-ins, theft, and neighborhood crime patterns
- Supporting community policing approaches that emphasize visibility, responsiveness, and trust-building
- Advocating for traffic calming and street design changes that reduce dangerous driving and improve neighborhood safety
- Hosting public meetings with senior public safety officials so residents can raise concerns directly and get clear answers
- Supporting LMPD through the budget process and maintaining strong working relationships with commanders in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th divisions
- Increasing patrols around high-call areas, including Heritage Green, Colonial Oaks, Southern Parkway, and 6th Street, and supporting the park ranger program to reduce vandalism and illegal motorcycle use
- Supporting the community consent decree to ensure police are held accountable to the highest standards in public safety
Betsy believes safer neighborhoods come from consistent presence, prevention, and partnership with residents.
Safer Streets and Everyday Infrastructure
For too long, South End neighborhoods have waited for basic improvements. Betsy has helped move long-delayed projects forward.
Recent progress:
- Targeted road paving and sidewalk repairs on long-neglected neighborhood streets, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, seniors, and families
- New speed humps and traffic-calming measures
- Safety improvements along Southland Boulevard near Iroquois Manor, replacing unused pavement with sidewalks, green space, and landscaping
These changes make neighborhoods safer, more walkable, and more accessible for families and seniors.
Parks, Recreation, and Community Spaces
Strong neighborhoods need places where people can gather, exercise, and enjoy their community.
Betsy has delivered meaningful investment in local parks and facilities:
- Highland Park Bike Park – fully funded and moving into development
- Updated futsal court at Beechmont Community Center
- Auburndale Park – community-driven master plan focused on lighting, walking paths, and court improvements, with work expected to begin in 2026
- Ongoing advocacy for Iroquois Park, including regular coordination with Olmsted Conservancy and hands-on volunteer work
These projects support families, youth, and seniors — and improve quality of life close to home.
Housing: Affordability and Stability
Housing costs, housing instability and homelessness are major concerns in District 21.
Betsy has focused on practical steps that improve safety and stability.
Her work includes:
- Sponsoring and leading an ordinance that passed Metro Council to update city regulations so emergency shelters can open quickly during extreme weather
- Securing funding for Repair Affair home repairs, with projects prioritized in District 21 to help seniors and longtime residents remain safely in their homes
- Supporting more than $2 million in additional funding for housing through the Office of Housing and Community Development
- Standing up for renter protections and lead-safety standards
- Funding air conditioners for low-income district 21 residents.
Betsy is committed to continued work on affordability, housing access, and neighborhood stability.
Supporting Local Businesses and Jobs
Strong neighborhoods depend on thriving local businesses.
Betsy has worked to strengthen business opportunities throughout District 21 by supporting small business networks, helping entrepreneurs navigate city programs, and advocating for responsible investment that benefits residents across the district.
Her work includes:
- Hands-on, ongoing support for the Preston Area Business Alliance, helping small businesses access grants, technical assistance, and coordinated promotion
- Working with community partners to strengthen the Preston corridor’s identity and attract responsible investment
- Supporting the South End Community Market at Iroquois Park, creating opportunities for local vendors, food access, and neighborhood gathering
Betsy believes business growth should strengthen neighborhoods — not push them out.
Community Celebrations, Connections and Non-Profit Organizations
Betsy’s office works to create opportunities for neighbors to meet, engage, and build stronger community ties through celebrations and non profit organizations.
Highlights of this work:
- Partnering on local events like the South End Community Market and Beechmont Concert Series to bring neighbors together
- Organizing neighborhood cleanups and tree maintenance projects, including in the Preston area
- Supporting food distribution programs and other community initiatives that connect residents and volunteers across District 21
These efforts foster stronger bonds, help local businesses and volunteers thrive, and show that healthy communities grow from shared experiences and active participation, not just policy decisions.
Nonprofit Partnerships:
Betsy also works closely with nonprofits across District 21 to strengthen support systems for residents. She partners with the Americana Community Center to help immigrant families build full, thriving lives, and has collaborated with Louisville Animal Services on legislation to improve pet reunification rates, expand spay and neuter services, and reduce shelter overcrowding.
— Betsy Ruhe's campaign website (March 7, 2026)
2022
Betsy Ruhe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ruhe's responses.
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- Everyone deserves to feel a part of a community. I will work to strengthen neighborhood ties and empower citizens to speak up and generate change from the bottom up.
- I will work to support local businesses and support budding entrepreneurs. Healthy communities have resources to meet their most basic economic needs. You shouldn't have to drive for miles to buy groceries or home repair supplies or find a good restaurant
- We should all feel safe in our communities. We get there by knowing our neighbors, speaking up and stepping up when we see problems, and having effective and engaged police officers
planting trees and pollinator gardens,Supporting efforts to reduce and adapt to climate disruption
empowering citizens to work together to achieve long-lasting change
long-term, big picture view
creativity
Good listener
Beauty, housing, strong communities
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Louisville Metro Council District 21 |
Officeholder Louisville Metro Council District 21 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 14, 2022
