Election 2026

Thomas Hornbuckle, Jr.: Candidate for Murray City Council

The Sentinel asked candidates about underserved residents, constituent accessibility and decision-making.

Posted Thursday, October 29, 2026 1:38 pm

Hornbuckle

Photo provided

About this election coverage

The Murray Sentinel invited all candidates in the contested local races on the Nov. 3 ballot to submit an introductory statement of up to 400 words and answer three office-specific questions, with a limit of 100 words per answer.

Invitations were sent to the email addresses candidates registered with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office. All candidates in each race were sent the same questions, submission guidelines and deadline.

Candidate statements and responses are published without editing or reformatting, including any errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Submissions exceeding the stated word limits are cut off at those limits.

Election 2026

Meet the candidates: 2026 local elections

Calloway County composite ballot for Nov. 3 general election

Sentinel Staff

Candidate statement

My name is Thomas Hornbuckle, #1 on the ballot, and I'm proud to be both your neighbor and your City Council representative. Serving this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am proud of the progress we've made together on issues that matter to our families, businesses, and neighborhoods, and I'm excited about what we can still accomplish. I've learned that the best solutions come from listening to the people we serve, and that's a commitment I bring to every council meeting and every decision. I'm running for re-election because I believe we have momentum, and behind the leadership of our future Mayor Mr. Danny Hudspeth, I believe we will continue moving our city forward.

Questions and answers

In your opinion, who is the most underserved population in Murray? How would you use your position on the city council to address their needs?

I believe the most underserved population in Murray are the homeless, long and short term emergency transitional shelters, domestic abuse victims, and veterans. I will continue to use my position on the city council to work with organizations such as the Merryman House and HOPE Calloway to find ways to provide more services to those in need and to help educate the community on the services already available.

How would you make yourself accessible to constituents outside your existing personal and professional circles, and how would you ensure their concerns are heard?

In a small town like Murray the personal and professional circles tend to overlap quite often. With my kids in sports and with elderly parents there's good chance you will see me at Walmart or some sporting event. I've gone to school with some of you and worked alongside a lot of you. I have celebrated as well as cried with you as well. As you City Councilman, as your neighbor, and as your friend I promise to ALWAYS be accessible. You can talk to me ANYTIME, ANYPLACE if you have any concerns or ideas, and if I don't know*

(Response exceeded word limit)

When residents have strongly opposing views on an issue before the council, how would you approach making a decision?

As a Councilman the best way to handle the situation is to be an active listener, empathise, and maintain order, then as a council we would vote on the issue at hand and make the best decision that benefits the community as a whole.