Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed posting from NKY candidates in major races in which there is opposition for the November 2 General Election. All candidates may send op-ed’s of 1000 words or less to be published before November 1. The commentary should be positive about the candidate and his/her positions. Candidates are asked not to wait until the last minute — submissions will be published in the order in which they are received.
My name is Lianna Nguyen. I’m running for Boone County Commissioner, District 2. My campaign journey has taught me a lot. I did not grow up in a political household, but my family history is somewhat political. My grandmother gave birth to my mother, a child of an American soldier in the Vietnam War. Both of my biological grandfathers are actual American soldiers, and I was born in Kentucky.
Politics found me in the fall of 2023, after years of paying attention to what was happening in Kentucky’s beauty industry. I went public to speak out, knowing that it could harm my career to stand up for what was right. I spent the rest of that year talking to victims across Kentucky. That same year, I joined an advocacy group that went to Frankfort for many legislative sessions to push for change.
By 2024, we won unanimous votes for Senate Bill 14, which my current opponent also co-sponsored. The governor signed that bill into law in the summer of 2024. That same year, the governor appointed me to the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology to represent private beauty schools.
As the current vice chair, I represent private beauty schools on the board. My duties include protecting the public, voting on key decisions, reviewing statewide complaints, and developing solutions for Kentucky’s fast-growing beauty industry. I built my state-certified beauty trade school from the ground up. I’m a licensed instructor, and I have graduated over 100 students. I teach practical skills and theory, and my school serves students from all walks of life. I teach students fresh out of high school and adult learners from backgrounds such as the military, corrections officers, insurance agents, nurses, and more. After graduation, my students take two state tests and then apply for licensure in Kentucky. Many of my graduates have contributed to the Kentucky economy by working in salons, and many are now business owners.
Commissioners make critical decisions that affect many people’s livelihoods, and I believe I bring a diverse skill set. Beyond my trade school ownership, I’ve owned a restaurant and am a licensed real estate agent in Kentucky and Ohio. My passion for standing up for people inspired me to go back to college, and I recently graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s in criminal justice.
This campaign moment has shown me how strong the Boone County community is. I’m proud of the community for showing up to the fiscal court to stand up for what is right. This November, I hope to become a voice and a listener for the community. No matter what happens, I plan to keep contributing to the community.
Lianna Nguyen is a candidate for Boone County Commissioner