By Roxy Osborne

On Wednesday, Louisville mayoral candidate Shameka Parrish-Wright attended a campus forum at the Alumni Center. Cards Vote, a program in the Office of Service Learning & Civic Engagement, hosted the event.

Councilwoman Parrish-Wright’s appearance leads up to the 2026 mayoral election on Nov. 3. Incumbent mayor Craig Greenberg was invited by Cards Vote, but did not attend due to scheduling conflicts.

Parrish-Wright responds to community questions

Parrish-Wright answered questions submitted on the event’s RSVP form.

Public transit

Cards Vote asked Parrish-Wright how she would handle TARC’s ongoing budget and route issues as mayor.

TARC’s network overhaul removed nine routes and eliminated nearly 2,000 bus stops. This change took place on Aug. 2 to combat the $30 million dollar budget shortfall.

Parrish-Wright says that these changes have made TARC less dependable for everyday commuting.

“I have, in my district, people contact me crying about how they can’t get to where they used to,” she said. “I think we need to visit with our seniors, with our young, to make sure that [TARC] is working for them.”

As mayor, Parrish-Wright says she would work to increase the number of transit hubs and add more bus routes that travel overnight.

Libraries

The mayoral candidate was asked how she would support libraries throughout the city.

During her time as a councilwoman, she has advocated for the expansion of the Shively-Newman Library. She notes that it is one of the most used libraries, but it’s expansion efforts are constantly “Put on the shelf.”

She notes Ekstrom Library as an example of a well-supported facility.

“I still come to the library here on this campus because it’s amazing,” said Parrish-Wright. “I want to make sure that all of the libraries are brought up to the same hope.”

If elected mayor, Parrish-Wright said she will advocate for more regional libraries.

Cards Vote hosts a mayoral candidate forum with Shameka Parrish-Wright. The event was held at the University Club and Alumni Center on U of L’s campus, Sept. 23, 2026. (Photo by Adam Mouchrani / The Louisville Cardinal)

Police involvement

During the forum, several questions were asked about the candidate’s position on the Louisville Metro Police Department.

Parrish-Wright mentioned a lack of community involvement in LMPD’s reform plans.

After the 2020 killing of Breonna Taylor, LMPD submitted a 250-page reform blueprint to the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ eventually withdrew their lawsuit, but Greenberg’s administration moved forward with the reforms under their Community Commitment Plan.

The enforcement of the Community Commitment reforms are independently monitored by Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELFFA). They are a third-party group comprised of individuals with law enforcement backgrounds.

Parrish-Wright argued these reforms lack accountability.

“We have to let the police know that policing themselves without immunity or oversight doesn’t work for us,” she said.

She also condemned Greenberg’s decision to remove Louisville from the federal sanctuary city list.

“I would take us back to a time where we, as a community, work together to make sure our police aren’t used to do ICE’s job,” she said. “I would roll that back. I think that was a terrible mistake.”

Flock cameras

The final question in the forum was about Parrish-Wright’s stance on Flock cameras.

She told the audience she wants LMPD to have the resources they need, but thinks Flock cameras are a step too far. She used the colloquial term “de-Flock” to describe her position on them.

Parrish-Wright says that ending Flock camera use as a whole may be difficult. Some districts already have committed contracts.

To combat this, Parrish-Wright says her administration would limit Flock camera funds in proposed budgets.

“[I am thankful] for the few times that Flock was able to help a family or anyone,” she said. “But it’s not worth what it’s going to do to our city as a whole.”

Mayor Craig Greenberg and Shameka Parrish-Wright will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.

Feature Photo by Adam Mouchrani / The Louisville Cardinal