Last Friday (January 09, 2026) was the deadline to file as a candidate in the 2026 Primary Election. Many of the key offices are open for the voters to exercise their voice and decide who will function in these critical seats: Jackson County Sheriff, Jackson County Judge Executive, Magistrates, Constables, State Representative District 89, US Congressman District 5, & US Senator.
The following are the Offices and candidates (in no particular order) who filed for the upcoming Primary Election (Tuesday, May 19th, 2026) before the deadline last week. The Candidate filings were obtained from the Secretary of State Election website.
County Judge Executive
- Paul Hays
- Jason Slone
- Betty Hays
- Linda Isaacs
- James Benjamin (Kyle) Welch
- Paul Rose
Magistrate District 1
- Tim Madden
- Rodney Chrisman
- Ovie Adkins
- Shannon Dale Vickers
- Keith Sandlin
Magistrate District 2
- Henry Smith
- Raymond Ray Dalton
- Robbie Belt
- Tim Tankersley
- Mary Cavins
Magistrate District 3
- Wendell Frye
- Paul Alexander
- Vernon Johnson
- Rex Tillery
- Greg Lakes
County Sheriff
- Daniel Isaacs
Constable District 1
- Johnny Peters
- William Jones
Constable District 2
- Steve Gill
Constable District 3
- Billy Ray Isaacs
- Ben Davidson
County Attorney
- Ross Murray
County Clerk
- Donald “Duck” Moore
Jailer
- Brian Gabbard
Property Valuation Administrator
- Bobby Edwards
Coroner
- Conley Tyra
Regional Offices Up for Election
There are offices up for election whose responsibilities and constituents span a region larger than a single county and will be decided in the 2026 Election. These offices include: US Senator, US House of Representatives, KY State Representative,
US Senator
The 2026 United States Senate election in Kentucky is a high-profile open-seat race following the retirement of long-time Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who announced he will not seek an eighth term. This is the first time this seat has been open since 1972. Both parties have crowded fields of declared and filing-official candidates:
Republican Primary Candidates: Andy Barr (U.S. Rep.), Daniel Cameron (former Attorney General), Nate Morris (businessman), Mike Faris, Wende Kennedy, and Andrew Shelley.
Democrat Primary Candidates: Charles Booker (former state rep.), Amy McGrath (2020 nominee), Pamela Stevenson (State House Minority Leader), Joel Willett (former CIA officer), and Logan Forsythe (attorney).
US House of Representatives (District 5)
In 2026, Kentucky will hold elections for all six seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Candidates running for District 5 include:
Republican Primary Candidates: Hal Rogers (Incumbent), Kevin R. Smith, & Benjamin Hurley, Jacob Trimble, Brandon R. Monhollen, Jerry Lee Shelton, Billy Ray Wilson
Democratic Primary Candidates: Ned Pillersdorf
Kentucky Senator (25th District) – Not on the Ballot this year
Kentucky State Senator Robert Stivers' represents the 25th District. The next election for this office will be in November 2028.
Stivers successfully ran for re-election for the 25th Senate District seat in the November 5, 2024, general election and began his new term in January 2025. Kentucky state senators serve four-year terms, with half the seats up for election every two years. Districts with odd numbers, such as District 25 which Stivers represents, had their elections in 2024.
The next set of Kentucky Senate elections for even-numbered seats will take place in 2026, with the odd-numbered seats coming up again in 2028.
Kentucky House of Representatives (89th District)
- Timmy Truett (incumbent)
Next Step – Public Drawing for Ballot Positions
On Thursday, January 15, 2026 (the Thursday following the filing deadline for the primary), a Public drawing for ballot positions will be conducted in the office of the County Clerk. The public drawing will take place at 2:00 PM at the old courthouse in McKee, KY.
On Monday, January 26, 2026 the Secretary of State will certify candidates’ names to the County Clerks (the third Monday after the filing deadline for the primary).
After the names have been officially certified by the Secretary of State, the Jackson County Sun will provide and publish a questionnaire to each candidate. This will help the Jackson County voters make an informed decision regarding their choice(s) for these critical offices.
In addition, there is usually a candidates’ forum held at the old courthouse that will allow the general public to ask questions of the candidates. The date for this forum has not been decided yet.
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