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Bold Leadership for Lexington’s Future
Serving as your Vice Mayor since 2023, I bring experience,a collaborative mindset, and a focus on real results. I am working to make Lexington a safer, more affordable, and more equitable home for all our residents.
I believe local government works best when leaders listen carefully, think critically, and focus on outcomes. As Vice Mayor, I have brought that approach to the work of improving life for Lexington families and helping guide thoughtful growth for the future of our city.
Vice Mayor. Immigrant. Entrepreneur. Husband. Father. Proud Lexingtonian.
A Story Rooted in Hard Work and Lexington.
I was born in China and came to the United States as a child, first to Fargo and then to Lexington, where I built my life, career, and family. My story reflects both the opportunity this city can offer and the responsibility to help it work better for everyone.
Raised Here. Invested Here. Working for Here.
Lexington is not just where I serve. It is where I built my life.
I graduated from Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky. Like many young people, I left Lexington for a time to explore other places and opportunities, but ultimately chose to return home to build my career and family in the city that shaped me.
That perspective matters. I have seen Lexington grow, evolve, and face new challenges, and I believe the best leadership comes from understanding both where our city has been and where it is going.
Henry Clay ➡️ University of Kentucky ➡️ Lexington Home
A Small Business Mindset. A Community Builder’s Approach.
Before serving as Vice Mayor, I built a career that gave me a firsthand understanding of Lexington’s economy and community life.
I worked in journalism, retail, and hospitality before becoming a small business owner. Through ventures like Atomic Ramen and other projects, I learned what it means to create jobs, navigate city systems, and take risks to build something meaningful.
That experience shapes how I approach government. I believe city leadership should respect the time and effort of small business owners, workers, and families who keep Lexington moving every day.
Thoughtful. Collaborative. Grounded in Results.
I believe leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It is about bringing people together to solve problems.
Lexington’s Urban County Council includes fifteen members representing different neighborhoods and perspectives. Making progress requires collaboration, thoughtful debate, and a willingness to listen, all traits I bring to my leadership.
I have built my reputation by working across differences, focusing on practical solutions, and living by the model of always “doing the most good for the most people.
Elected to Lead Citywide.
In November 2022, Lexington voters elected me as an At-Large Council member.
Among the city’s at-large candidates, I received the most votes, which made me Vice Mayor. I am grateful to voters like you placing their trust in me to help guide the work of the Urban County Council.
Since taking office, I have focused on issues that affect people’s daily lives, from safer streets to medical debt relief to responsible planning.
Turning Concern About Traffic Safety Into Action.
Traffic safety is one of the most common concerns residents share about Lexington.
To address this issue, I launched the STREEET Safety Task Force, bringing together transportation experts, city leaders, and community voices to identify ways to make Lexington’s streets safer for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
The work has produced recommendations aimed at improving intersections, strengthening enforcement, and designing roads that reduce accidents and save lives.
Safer streets are not an abstract policy goal. They are about making sure people can get to work, school, and home safely every day.
What that means for residents:
- Safer Intersections
- Better Pedestrian Protection
- Practical, Data-Informed Traffic Changes
- Accountability for Implementation
Delivering Real Financial Relief for Lexington Families.
One of the most impactful initiatives I helped lead was Lexington’s medical debt relief program.
Under my leadership, council unanimously allocated $1 million to purchase and forgive medical debt for Lexington residents. That $1 million investment has the potential to eliminate up to $90 million in medical debt. To date, we have relieved over $18 million in debt for nearly 10,000 Fayette County residents, and we’re not done yet.
For these thousands of families, that relief means a chance to move forward without the weight of financial hardship caused by medical emergencies.
This is fiscally responsible policy that will improve our residents’ physical and financial health.
$1 million invested. Up to $90 million in debt relief.
Helping Lexington Grow Without Losing What Makes It Special.
Lexington continues to grow, and with growth comes responsibility.
I led on Lexington’s Preservation and Growth Management Program, a game-changing policy on how we shape the future of our city.
This work addresses important questions about land use, infrastructure, housing, and how to maintain our delicate urban-rural balance that make Lexington so unique.
I believe responsible planning today is essential to preserving Lexington’s quality of life for generations to come.
Showing Up for Lexington’s Diverse Communities.
My election as Vice Mayor also reflects Lexington’s evolving story.
I am proud to be the first Asian American and first immigrant to serve in local elected office, and I have embraced the opportunity to represent the city’s growing diversity while continuing to focus on issues that affect every single resident.
From neighborhood meetings to cultural events to council discussions, I approach my role with a simple commitment: show up, listen, and work toward solutions.
Make Everyday Movement Safer, Simpler, and More Reliable.
Every Lexington resident deserves to feel safe on our roads.
I will continue the work started through the STREEET initiative by implementing practical improvements that reduce accidents, improve traffic flow, and protect pedestrians and cyclists.
Safer streets mean fewer tragedies, less congestion, and a city that works better for everyone who moves through it.
Grow responsibly. Protect What Makes Lexington Lexington.
We are growing, and managing that growth responsibly is one of the most important challenges facing the city.
I believe growth should be guided by thoughtful planning that balances development with preservation. Lexington’s farmland, neighborhoods, and character are among its greatest assets.
The goal is not simply to grow, but to grow wisely so that infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunity keep pace with the city’s future.
A City that Respects Entrepreneurs, Workers, and Local Investment.
Small businesses are at the heart of Lexington’s economy.
As a former small business owner, I understand firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face.
Supporting local businesses helps create jobs, strengthens neighborhoods, and keeps Lexington vibrant and unique.
Government Should Always be Responsive to it’s People.
I believe local government can improve how it engages with residents, going far beyond newsletters and public comment. We can go where the people are and connect with folks that aren’t always heard.
To ensure transparency and accountability, we need to communicate clearly and honestly about what we do and why we do it.
Leadership is Not About Drama or Rhetoric. It is About Getting Things Done.
Local government works best when leaders can work together.
I believe progress comes from respectful debate, thoughtful collaboration, and a shared focus on solving problems. Lexington residents deserve leaders who can disagree without becoming divided, and who remain focused on results.
That approach has defined my work on council, and it will continue to guide my leadership.
WHY PEOPLE TRUST DAN
- Thoughtful
- Practical
- Collaborative
- Results-Driven
VOTER TESTIMONIALS
Lexington deserves leadership that listens, delivers, and plans for the future.
I believe Lexington’s best days are ahead of us. With thoughtful, bold leadership, responsible planning, and a commitment to working together, we can strive to do the most good for the most people.