Candidate for Berea City Council

Rooted in Berea.
Ready to serve.

I’m running to help build a Berea where people can afford to live, find opportunity, feel connected, and have a meaningful voice in the decisions shaping our town.

Join the campaign Why I’m running
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Leah Van Winkle, candidate for Berea City Council
Leah Van Winkle Sixth-generation Berean · Community organizer · Leadership practitioner
A local campaign built on Listening
A city government grounded in Transparency
A stronger Berea created through Collaboration

“Good government isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening well, making thoughtful decisions, and helping people build a stronger community together.”

Meet Leah

I came home because I believe in Berea.

My family’s roots in Berea go back six generations. My father graduated from Berea College, but like many people from our community, he left in search of opportunity.

I was raised in Florida and chose to return to Berea at 22 because I believed in coming home. Since then, I have built my life around helping communities strengthen local leadership, form partnerships, and turn good ideas into practical action.

I’m running for City Council because I want Berea to be a place where people can build stable, fulfilling lives—where housing is attainable, small businesses can grow, families have support, public spaces are cared for, and residents understand how to shape local decisions.

I will bring curiosity, preparation, honest communication, and a collaborative approach to the council. I do not believe leadership means pretending to have every answer. It means asking better questions, bringing the right people together, and being accountable for what happens next.

Campaign priorities

A practical agenda for a thriving Berea.

These issues are deeply connected. Housing affects workforce stability. Childcare affects jobs. Public spaces affect belonging. Transparent processes affect whether residents trust city government.

01

Housing and thoughtful growth

Berea needs more housing choices without losing the qualities that make our town feel like home. I support clear planning, responsible infrastructure investment, neighborhood input, and practical strategies that expand attainable housing for renters, first-time buyers, families, and older residents.

  • Make development and zoning decisions easier for residents to understand.
  • Plan growth alongside roads, utilities, drainage, public safety, and quality-of-life needs.
  • Support a healthy mix of housing types and price points.
02

Local jobs and economic opportunity

A thriving local economy includes established employers, entrepreneurs, artists, tradespeople, downtown businesses, and residents building new ideas. City government should make it easier—not harder—for people to create opportunity in Berea.

  • Strengthen connections among businesses, workforce partners, schools, and entrepreneurs.
  • Support downtown vitality and locally owned businesses.
  • Treat childcare, transportation, and housing as economic development issues.
03

Quality of life and public spaces

Parks, trails, recreation, arts, community events, local food, and gathering spaces are not extras. They are part of what makes people choose Berea, stay here, raise families here, and feel connected to one another.

  • Care for existing public assets before adding new commitments.
  • Expand safe, welcoming opportunities for children, teens, families, and older adults.
  • Support walkability, recreation, arts, and community gathering.
04

Accessible and transparent city government

Residents should not need insider knowledge to understand what the city is considering, when they can participate, or who to contact. Clear communication builds trust and produces better decisions.

  • Share decisions, timelines, and opportunities for input in plain language.
  • Help residents engage earlier in planning, budgeting, and policy discussions.
  • Strengthen communication between council, city departments, boards, and the public.
05

Community-led problem solving

City Council cannot—and should not—solve every challenge alone. Berea is strongest when local government connects residents, nonprofits, businesses, institutions, and neighborhood leaders around shared goals.

  • Identify existing resources before creating duplicative programs.
  • Build partnerships that bring outside funding and expertise into Berea.
  • Create clear pathways for residents to move ideas toward action.

City Hall 101

What does City Council actually do?

Local government can feel confusing. Here is the basic structure—and where residents can have influence.

01

Passes ordinances

Council considers and votes on local laws affecting land use, businesses, public safety, and city operations.

02

Approves the budget

Council helps decide how city revenue is allocated across services, staffing, facilities, and priorities.

03

Oversees public decisions

Council reviews proposals, asks questions, hears public input, and provides legislative oversight.

04

Connects residents to government

Council members should help residents understand city processes and connect with the right department or board.

Your voice matters before the final vote.

Residents can attend meetings, comment publicly, contact council members, participate in planning processes, serve on boards and commissions, and organize with neighbors around shared concerns.

Ask Leah a question

Campaign events

Come meet Leah.

Campaign gatherings, volunteer opportunities, forums, and neighborhood meet-and-greets will be posted here.

More dates are coming soon.

Follow the campaign on Facebook or join the volunteer list to hear about upcoming events.

Follow on Facebook Join the list

Get involved

Help us reach 2,200 voters—one real conversation at a time.

City elections are won through relationships. You do not need campaign experience. You only need a little time, a willingness to talk with people, and a belief that Berea deserves thoughtful leadership.

Door knocking Friend-to-friend outreach Event help Yard signs Photography Social media

Join Leah’s campaign team

Tell us how you would like to help. We’ll follow up personally.

I’m interested in:

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Stay connected

Let’s build Berea together.

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