Entrepreneur Stephen Reily has entered the race for the Louisville Metro Council's Eighth District, which includes the Highlands.
The seat is currently held by Councilman Tom Owen, who has represented the district on the council for 22 years. He is stepping down after the current term.
Reily, a Democrat, said he has lived in the district since 1995. In a release announcing his candidacy Tuesday morning, he cited balancing public safety and quality of life with "responsible commercial development" as a prevailing issue for the district.
“People also want more coordinated communication with Metro agencies, and I hope to use my experience in building technology businesses to bring critical government services into the 21st century," he said in the release.
Reily is co-founder of Seed Capital Kentucky, the nonprofit developer of the West Louisville FoodPort. He also cofounded the marketing agency IMC, which has represented big companies such as L'Oreal and Kraft. He is involved with a variety of civic boards and nonprofits, including the Greater Louisville Project.
Reily is married to historian and author Emily Bingham.
Democrats S. Brandon Coan, William Corey Nett, Josh White, Terra Long and Lynnie Meyer have also filed to run for the District 8 seat.