Junction City mayor denies using racial slur in video circulating online, says claim is false

Junction City Mayor Jim Douglas has denied using a racial slur after a video allegedly showing him making the remark began circulating online, becoming a focal point in the city’s mayoral race, according to LEX18.

The channel reported that some viewers claimed Douglas used a racial slur when referring to a Boyle County Deputy Sheriff. LEX18 said Douglas disputed the allegation in response to the video’s spread on social media.

Douglas’s denial was reported alongside the wider political context, with the accusation framed by supporters and critics as part of the ongoing campaign for the city’s top elected role.

LEX18 did not indicate that any criminal complaint or formal public finding has been issued by a law enforcement agency regarding the video, but the report described the claim as gaining traction among voters through online sharing.

The video’s circulation raises questions for local officials about how public comments are handled in campaign periods and how residents evaluate claims that spread rapidly on social media, particularly when the allegations concern potential racial harassment.

Under Kentucky election norms, campaign disputes typically play out through public statements, media coverage, and, when relevant, administrative or court processes if voters or officials believe rules have been violated. Whether any complaint will be filed related to the video was not reported in the initial coverage.

As the mayoral race continues, residents and campaign participants are likely to seek clarification about what was said, where and when the remarks occurred, and whether any additional review or documentation exists beyond the circulating clip.