Stand Up for Science to hold empty-chair town hall in Lexington

Stand Up for Science will host a public “empty chair” town hall in Lexington on Sept. 3 for Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District, inviting science advocates and constituents to raise concerns in Rep. Andy Barr’s district. Barr has been invited but has not confirmed attendance.

Why it matters: - The event gives constituents in Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District a public forum to raise concerns about science policy and representation. - The town hall is aimed at filling a gap left by the absence of recent in-person constituent meetings from Rep. Andy Barr, according to Dr. Colette Delawalla. - The format also highlights ongoing tension between science advocates and federal decision-makers over science funding and agency support.

What happened: - Stand Up for Science will hold an “empty chair” town hall on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, in Lexington, Kentucky. - The public event is set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern and is open to both community members and press. - Dr. Colette Delawalla, CEO and founder of Stand Up for Science, will host the town hall. - The group has invited Rep. Andy Barr, who represents KY-6, but he has not confirmed attendance. - Interested attendees can register through the event link provided in the announcement.

The details: - The town hall is designed to bring together area science advocates and constituents to share concerns and questions. - Delawalla said congressional recess has traditionally been a time for town halls with constituents. - Delawalla said Barr has not held a town hall in years, which is why Stand Up for Science is organizing one without him. - The event is being presented as a public platform for residents to speak directly about their concerns. - Stand Up for Science describes itself as a grassroots, Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on science and democracy. - The organization was formed in February 2025 in response to actions affecting federal science agencies and funding of the American scientific ecosystem. - On March 7, Stand Up for Science mobilized more than 50,000 people across 170-plus events worldwide for its first National Day of Action. - Federal scientists across multiple agencies, including NIH, EPA, NASA and FEMA, have used Stand Up for Science as a platform to publish open letters of concern. - Stand Up for Science is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, and donations are not tax-deductible.

Between the lines: - The town hall is as much a pressure campaign as a listening session, using an “empty chair” format to draw attention to the absence of a sitting member of Congress. - By hosting the event in Lexington, Stand Up for Science is trying to localize a broader debate over science funding and federal agency support. - The group’s footprint with federal scientists suggests the organization is positioning itself as a channel for coordinated science-sector concerns.

What's next: - Stand Up for Science will gather questions and concerns from attendees at Thursday’s event. - Barr’s attendance remains uncertain unless he confirms before the town hall. - The public event may set up further constituent-facing pressure on the KY-6 office if the congressman does not appear.

The bottom line: - Stand Up for Science is bringing an empty-chair town hall to Lexington to spotlight science concerns in KY-6 and underscore the lack of recent in-person constituent engagement from Rep. Andy Barr.