Francis files to run for Hopkinsville Mayor as several others also file to seek offices

It's shaping up to be a crowded primary ballot in May of 2026 for Hopkinsville Mayor, as Natasha Sophia-Francis has filed her paperwork to seek the city's top seat.

Francis is a familiar name to the City of Hopkinsville, having served as the city councilmember for Ward 1 from 2022 to 2024, and then running in the primary for that seat and then as a write-in candidate for the ward that is now currently represented by Vance Smith.

Francis filed her paperwork to seek the Mayoral seat as a Republican on Tuesday, meaning she will face off against incumbent Mayor J.R. Knight and challenger and current Fiscal Court Magistrate Russ Guffey.

She's not the only one who filed her paperwork to seek political office on Tuesday, as Tabitha Pryor Strader has filed as Republican to run for Property Value Administrator for Christian County.

Filing to seek re-election to her current Ward 11 seat on Hopkinsville City Council was Elizabeth Draude, and then for Fiscal Court, newcomer Austin Crawford has filed to seek the magisterial seat in District 5 as a Republican. Right now, he'll be facing Democrat James "Jim" Smith in the November 2026 General Election.

And then in District 8 for Fiscal Court, Lucas Stagner filed his paperwork to run as a Republican, where he'll face off against incumbent Magistrate John Bruce, who is seeking re-election.

In a news release, Stagner says his of public service through the Christian County Rescue Squad, the Hopkinsville Fire Department and emergency dispatch have given him a deep understanding of the needs and concerns of this community. He continues by saying that his goal is ensure that Christian County remains a safe, thriving and welcoming place for all of its citizens.