LOUISVILLE, Ky.--A Louisville entrepreneur is joining the growing pool of candidates in the race for the city’s next mayor.
The former CEO of 21C Museum Hotels and current co-owner of Louisville-based Ohio Valley Wrestling Craig Greenberg, announced that he plans to run for the city of Louisville’s top job.
The Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) graduate believes his background is what the city needs at a critical moment.
"The challenges and tragedies of the past year convinced me that now was the time where I could bring my relevant experience to the office of mayor to help unify the community and move us forward," explains Greenberg.
Married to his wife Rachel for 21 years with two sons in high school, this 47-year-old lifelong Democrat and business owner says the race for mayor will come down to values, experience, and inclusion.
"I believe in Louisville, I believe in our residents, I believe in our future, and I’m excited and ready to help build a more dynamic, inclusive, and healthy Louisville," adds Greenberg.
Greenberg says among other things, he would focus on creating jobs, rebuilding trust in Louisville Metro Police Department, building 15,000 new affordable housing units in his first term, and establish a department of education for the city.
"I think it's important to be a person of action. Someone who can make decisions, whose going to roll up their sleeves, work harder than everyone else and be ready to get to work on day one for the people of Louisville, suggests Greenberg.
The number of mayoral candidates with their sights set on Louisville’s City Hall has grown to six.
"When people are thinking about who the next mayor is think they should look at what everyone brings to the table," says Greenberg.
Other contenders for mayor include a city council member, a racial justice activist, a pastor, socialist worker, and funeral homeowner are possible candidates to replace incumbent Mayor Greg Fischer who will hit term limits, when he finishes his third term leading the city.
"Our next mayor needs to have the relevant experience to unify this community, to assemble a diverse, inclusive, strong, and power team of people that can work together to create jobs, to make everyone feel safe and secure, that can improve our education in this community," explains Greenberg.
Without a track record in office, this mayoral hopeful is building momentum to run against the field. "It’s going to take a community wide effort to support this campaign and I’m excited to start building that coalition today," says Greenberg.
Greenberg also mentioned he will be pushing for a two-year term limit for future Louisville mayors, if elected.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s term in office ends January 2023.