Candidate Spotlight: Bonnie Whitis Brings Compassion and Community Focus to Somerset City Council Race

Image by courtesy of the  candidate (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved

Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)-- With the upcoming City elections, I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the candidates, running for office, Bonnie Whitis. When Bonnie Whitis talks about Somerset, she does not sound like a political candidate — she sounds like a neighbor. A lifelong resident of the city, Whitis has spent her career and volunteer life working directly with people: as an educator, in healthcare, and for the last nine years, in mental and behavioral health. Now, she is taking that commitment to another level by running for Somerset City Council, Ward 12, in the 2026 election.

“I’ve seen firsthand the growing disconnect between the decisions being made at City Hall and the real needs of our neighborhoods,” Whitis said. “It’s time for a voice that brings policy and lived experience together.”

A Community Advocate Steps Forward

     Whitis’s roots in community service run deep. She has served as vice president of Help the Homeless, sits on the board of the Living Bread Soup Kitchen, regularly volunteers with local animal rescue initiatives and also represents Pulaski County as part of the Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (PCAK) Upstream Academy Class of 2025. For her, these roles are not resume-builders — they are extensions of her belief that public service is a civic responsibility, not a political ambition.

     That belief is what pushed her to run. Over the past decade, Whitis says, Somerset’s focus on tourism and economic growth has helped bring new energy to the city, but it has also created new challenges.  “Our population has grown, but housing and infrastructure haven’t kept pace,” she explained. “At the same time, we are seeing rising crime and strained resources. These are the things residents feel every day, and I believe city government must make them the top priority.”

A Platform Rooted in Real Life

    Whitis’s campaign centers on issues she believes touch every household: affordable housing, fairness, updated pet ordinances, youth development, and stronger community engagement.

    Her approach to affordable housing is both ambitious and practical. She points to a range of federal and state funding opportunities — from HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program to Kentucky Housing Corporation resources — that Somerset could be tapping into more effectively. She also advocates for partnerships with nonprofits and private developers to expand mixed-income and workforce housing.

     “The resources exist,” Whitis said. “The question is whether our leaders are proactive enough to go after them. My goal is to make sure Somerset gets its fair share and uses those funds to build a stronger, fairer community.”

Compassionate Policymaking

     Whitis’s professional background shapes her candidacy in a unique way. Having grown up in poverty and later worked with families facing systemic barriers, she says she views policy through a deeply human lens.

     “I do not see policies as abstract ideas. I see the people behind them — families trying to provide, seniors trying to stay safe, young people trying to build a future,” she said. “I have walked alongside them, and in many ways, I have walked in their shoes. That is the perspective I’ll bring to City Hall."

Prioritizing Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency

     Still, Whitis is quick to acknowledge the financial realities of local government. “Money is the biggest challenge,” she admitted. “Like any household, there’s never enough to cover everything.”

    Her solution is to prioritize transparency, accountability, and careful budgeting. She wants residents to have a clear understanding of how tax dollars are being spent and plans to push for efficiency, eliminating waste and redirecting funds toward essentials like infrastructure, affordable housing, and public safety. “Every dollar should reflect the real priorities of Somerset residents,” she said.

Connecting Beyond City Hall

     For Whitis, the heart of public service lies outside council chambers. She plans to expand opportunities for engagement beyond traditional town halls, committing to informal community check-ins, neighborhood events, and direct outreach through nonprofits, schools, and faith-based groups.

“Public service is about showing up in people’s lives,” she said. “I do not expect residents to come to City Hall every time they have a concern. I want to meet them where they are.”

Looking Ahead

     If chosen, Whitis says her first 90 days will focus on listening and learning. She intends to meet with city staff, fellow council members, and residents to build strong working relationships and gain a clear picture of immediate needs. Long term, she envisions a Somerset that balances growth with preservation — one that welcomes new opportunities without losing sight of its people.

     “This campaign is about building bridges,” Whitis said. “Between neighbors, between government and the people, and between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s possibilities. I’m running because I love this community, and every resident of Ward 12 deserves a voice that listens, cares, and fights for them.”