The race to become Hopkinsville’s next mayor is getting interesting, as both major political parties now have primary contests set for May.
Willie Kendrick, a retired real estate broker and former member of the Murray State University Board of Regents, will challenge former state Sen. Joey Pendleton in the Democratic primary.
Kendrick said he wants more attention paid to the inner city of Hopkinsville.
“I was hoping to sponsor a YMCA in the inner city in Hopkinsville," Kendrick said. "We have one out in the suburbs. Most cities that I lived in – St. Louis, California, places like that – they always place the YMCA first in the inner city. In our case, it was just the opposite.”
Kendrick also said the infrastructure of Hopkinsville has been neglected, and would push for repairs to city streets.
Either Kendrick or Pendleton will square off with the winner of the Republican primary contest between former Christian County Chamber of Commerce president Carter Hendricks and businessman Jason McGraw.
Current mayor Dan Kemp will not seek a third term.