City community development director, retired police chief has spent three decades serving, protecting Somerset
SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (October 1, 2025) — With a service-first focus to governing and a resume stacked with experience in public safety and community development, Somerset native William Hunt has announced his candidacy for mayor in the 2026 election.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and the retired chief of police for the Somerset Police Department (SPD), Hunt brings more than three decades of leadership and experience to the race. He said his decision to run for mayor is driven by a love for the community, where he has spent nearly his entire professional career and dedicated countless hours to serving its residents and numerous charitable organizations.
“Somerset is my hometown, and it has been an honor to spend the last three decades serving and protecting this community,” Hunt said. “I believe the best kind of leadership is rooted in service — in listening, showing up and being present. That is the kind of mayor I want to be, and I know it is the next step in this incredibly rewarding journey.”
Hunt currently serves as the City of Somerset’s Director of Community Development, where he oversees implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan, collaborates on budget and capital improvement strategies, and serves as a liaison to the mayor’s office for emergency services, civic organizations, and state partners. He also serves on the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is deeply involved in numerous local and statewide initiatives.
During his tenure as Somerset’s chief of police, the department employed a community-oriented policing approach, where law enforcement officials partner with community members and other organizations to collaboratively identify and address public safety issues. As mayor, Hunt said he will implement a similar approach — community-oriented governing — to collaborate with residents, ensuring challenges are addressed and city services are provided at the highest and most transparent level.
“Our first priority should always be our residents, whether that is delivering essential services like water, sanitation or public safety, or hosting high-quality experiences at Somersplash Waterpark, The Virginia or our free festivals,” Hunt said. “Our city team is second-to-none in delivering these vital quality-of-life services. As mayor, I will reinforce their hard work and dedication, giving them the tools and support they need to do their jobs while also ensuring we are providing the highest level of customer service possible to the people of Somerset.”
Hunt underscored the importance of continuing the strong economic momentum Somerset has experienced under Mayor Alan Keck’s administration.
“Somerset has come so far in the last six years, and I am incredibly proud of the work that has been done to revitalize our downtown and grow our economy under Mayor Keck’s leadership,” Hunt said. “I have learned a tremendous amount during this time of rebirth for our community that I will apply as Somerset’s mayor. I look forward to fostering strong relationships with the Chamber and the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority to ensure this renaissance continues.”
Inspired by the career of his late father, Roy Hunt, a U.S. Army veteran who served the community as a police officer, deputy sheriff, and jailer, Hunt served the Somerset Police Department for nearly 28 years, including seven years as chief. During his tenure, he earned numerous accolades, including the 2020 Chief of the Year award from the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police (KACP) — the state’s highest honor for law enforcement professionals. He also served as president of KACP, chairman of the Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force, and Kentucky’s representative to the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
In addition to his law enforcement leadership, Hunt has held key roles with the Kentucky League of Cities, the U.S. Attorney’s Eastern District Executive Committee and the Kentucky 911 Advisory Council.
Hunt’s community service is shaped by his commitment to supporting veterans, military families, and law enforcement professionals. He currently serves on Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s Peer Support Working Group, where he contributes to advancing mental health resources for first responders across the Commonwealth. As a board member of the Lake Cumberland Military Suicide Prevention Coalition, Hunt is an advocate for those who have served their country.
Hunt is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Police Academy, the FBI National Command Course, and Leadership Kentucky (2021). He holds the highest certification awarded to law enforcement executives by the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council — Law Enforcement Chief Executive.
Beyond his professional achievements, Hunt is a deacon and active member of First Baptist Church of Somerset, where he volunteers on the security team, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the Pulaski County Housing Coalition, the American Cancer Society, and the Somerset Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Hunt and his wife, Carla, have been married for 33 years. They are the proud parents of four children: Skyler (and daughter-in-law Morgan), Colson, Ava, and Emerye.
While his love for Somerset is strong, Hunt said his family and his faith are at the heart of his decision to run for office.
“This campaign is about Somerset’s people,” Hunt said. “It’s about continuing to build a community where our children want to live, work, and raise their own families, where people care about one another and are dedicated to being good neighbors. I’m running for mayor because I love Somerset, and I’m ready to keep moving it forward.”
For more information about Hunt’s campaign, follow @HuntforSomerset on Facebook or visit huntforsomerset.com.