Candidates Lining Up

 

 

By Greg Wells

CCN—Editor

 

We are providing continuing coverage as the county is getting closer to the final filing day for many elected offices in 2026.

As is often the case, the only candidates filing so far locally are Republicans, meaning the November election could be decided this spring, as far as local offices are concerned.

Candidates recorded as filing to run in the May primary are grouped below.

Judge-Executive

County Judge-Executive Luke King, the Republican incumbent, gained an early challenger for the position, the man he beat for the office in the previous election, John Alexander Phelps Jr., What’s new, is a filing for the same position by Property Valuation Administrator Gina Shaye Lee-Watson.

Watson had previously filed to retain her position as PVA, but in recent weeks withdrew from that race when she joined this one.

Magistrate

In the Magistrate races, the number of people seeking that office has only slightly increased as the deadline approaches.

District 1; incumbent Rondall Wray is being challenged by Jeremiah “Jeremy” Cooksey.

District 2; incumbent Lane Cope is being challenged by Scot Daniels, who lost his reelection bid in the last election to the current Sheriff. Joining that race is Greg Moon.

District 3; incumbent Larry S. Anderson is being challenged by Alex Killman and a previous holder of that office, James “JV” Groce.

District 4; incumbent Jeffery Cyphers is being challenged by Jacob Wray, son of the District 1 Magistrate.

Jailer

Running for jailer are Dylan Wright, Chad Melton, Kenneth “Ken” Lansing and Corey “Cornbread” Branham.

PVA

In the race for Property Valuation Administrator, Jonathan Collins, who has worked in the office for years, and Brian Leveridge are the only candidates at present as Chris Garvey has withdrawn his name. Both remaining candidates have reportedly already taken and passed the state test needed to serve in that position.

Sheriff

Sheriff Keaton L. Williams is facing a challenge by Kenny Brown.

Constable

The following Republicans are running for Constable: D1, Tony Wright; D2, Adam Bow; D3, Stephan Johnson; D4, Matt Thompson.

Republican incumbents remaining unopposed at this time are Coroner Gary White, County Clerk Bryan Morgan, and County Attorney Coleman M. Hurt.

As of last Friday, this was the total list of candidates filing at the clerk’s office; and they only have until Jan. 9 to file for these primary, (partisan) contests.

District Judge

Kristi Castillo, the incumbent District Judge for Cumberland County, the 59th district, is running unopposed in a nonpartisan race. There are no primaries in nonpartisan races such as those for judges, and filings in judicial races are made in Frankfort.

Other nonpartisan races, such as those for City Council Member, Mayor and school board, have until June 2 to file, and no candidates in those races have filed at this point.

State Representative

Amy Neighbors has filed for reelection in the 21st District, which includes Cumberland County. All state representative seats are up for election in 2026, while the local State Senate seat is not up for reelection this time.

U.S. Senate

Long-time Senator Mitch McConnell (R) is not seeking re-election in 2026. Candidates reported so far are:

Republican Party

• Andy Garland Barr – sitting U.S. congressman from Kentucky’s 6th District, has filed for the seat.
• Daniel Cameron – former state attorney general and Republican nominee for governor.
• Nate Morris – business owner.
• Michael James “Mike” Faris — Air Force Veteran and business owner.

Democratic Party

• Amy McGrath – a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel, and first woman to fly a fighter jet, F-18, in combat for the USMC, serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Pamela Stevenson – state legislature’s minority leader.
• Joel Willett – former CIA officer.
• Logan Forsythe — lawyer and former Secret Service Agent.

U.S. House of Representatives 1st District

The incumbent won the seat in a 2016 special election to fill the unexpired term of Ed Whitfield, and has since been reelected four times.

Republican Party

• James Comer – the incumbent and a former State Agriculture Commissioner.
• David Sims.

Democratic Party

• Drew Williams.

Information in the Federal Election Commission database is not complete, with several additional candidates listed but no information provided. Look for updates in the coming months.

January 15 there will be a public drawing for the order in which candidates are listed on the ballot.

The above information was compiled from local government, state government and federal government reports.