Description

Mayor Washington will discuss:

• The Covington Housing Initiative to expand affordable and workforce housing while revitalizing vacant properties;
• “Bridging the Gap” program to help motorists navigate the simultaneous construction of the Fourth Street Bridge and the Brent Spence Bridge while also attempting to minimize the disruption of commerce;
• City-Council form of government, transitioning to a system that is designed to streamline decision-making and government responsiveness
• Urban Core Business Growth, in particular the Fischer Homes Corporate Offices move to Scott Avenue, just one block south of the construction of the new City Hall

Ron Washington was elected to a four-year term as mayor in 2024 after serving four years on the Covington Board of Commissioners. He was the highest vote-getter in the 2020 and 2022 elections, which led to his role as Mayor Pro Tem, in addition to Commissioner. His election as Mayor is a historic achievement, not only for Covington but for the Commonwealth, as he is the first African-American mayor of Covington and any of Kentucky's five largest cities. 

Mayor Washington received the 2025 Ruth A. Eger Leader of Distinction Award, presented by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The accolade recognizes an individual who has dedicated their life to making meaningful contributions to the Northern Kentucky region. In 2023, he received the Covington Education Foundation Person of the Year Award.

Mayor Washington currently serves as a board member for the Gateway College Foundation and the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. He is also a member of the Holmes High TEAM Foundation and has served as a board member for Parish Kitchen. Additionally, he is actively involved in various boards and committees for the City of Covington and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Washington came to Covington as a newborn to live with his foster mother, Anna Washington. He was adopted by Ms. Washington about five years later and grew up in the family’s 1860s two-story Italianate house on West Sixth Street in Covington’s Old Town/Mutter Gottes neighborhood.

A proud product of Covington Independent Public Schools (CIPS), Washington graduated from Holmes High School in 1986. He maintains a close relationship with CIPS and regularly volunteers his time to help students, while also serving as the “voice” of the Lady Bulldogs basketball program.

Washington is a retired Northern Kentucky law enforcement officer and was the first African-American officer in Florence. He graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy in Richmond, Ky., and the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Va. He served as Chief Deputy in the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office for five years. Although retired, Ron’s rank of “colonel” still makes him the highest-ranking Black police officer to have ever worked in Northern Kentucky. He remains an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #20.

After retiring from police work, Ron became a pioneer in the fight against heroin and other opiate addiction, founding one of the largest medication-assisted treatment centers in Kentucky, which has helped thousands of individuals achieve recovery.

As Mayor, Washington is focused on increasing the availability and affordability of housing, delivering efficient and responsive government services, and ensuring Covington remains a welcoming and inclusive community for all. These focus areas reflect his commitment to creating a city where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.