Ron Washington is the Mayor of Covington, Kentucky, elected to a four-year term in 2024 after serving four years on the Covington Board of Commissioners. He was the highest vote-getter in both the 2020 and 2022 elections, earning the role of Mayor Pro Tem.
His election marked a historic milestone as he became the first African American elected Mayor of Covington and the first African American elected mayor of any of Kentucky's five largest cities.
Mayor Washington received the 2025 Ruth A. Eger Leader of Distinction Award from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2023 Covington Education Foundation Person of the Year.
A lifelong public servant, Mayor Washington retired from law enforcement. He was the first African American police officer hired by the City of Florence, graduated from the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training Police Academy and the FBI National Academy, served as Chief Deputy of the Kenton County Sheriff's Office for five years, and retired with the rank of Colonel, making him the highest-ranking African American law enforcement officer to have served in Northern Kentucky.
Following his law enforcement career, he founded one of Kentucky's largest medication-assisted treatment centers, helping thousands of individuals recover from opioid addiction.
Mayor Washington serves on the boards of the Gateway Community and Technical College Foundation, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, and the Holmes High TEAM Foundation. He previously served on the board of Parish Kitchen and continues to serve on numerous local, regional, and state boards and committees.
A proud graduate of Covington Independent Public Schools and Holmes High School, he remains active in mentoring students and is the longtime Voice of the Holmes Lady Bulldogs basketball program.
As Mayor, Washington is focused on expanding housing opportunities, strengthening neighborhoods, improving public safety, growing the local economy, delivering responsive government, and ensuring Covington remains a welcoming community where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.