Pocketbook pressures seemed to shape Jackson County and Kentucky’s 2026 election. The county financial status dominated the discussions prior to the November 03rd election with each candidate vowing to bring the county finances into focus. Health care, schools and confidence in government join affordability concerns as voters prepared for Nov. 3.
The price of everyday life is a central concern for Kentucky voters heading into Tuesday’s general election, with polling pointing to household bills, groceries and medical expenses as major sources of anxiety. Education, housing affordability and the health of democratic institutions also figure prominently in voters’ concerns, according to surveys conducted earlier this year.
The election will determine who succeeds retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, with Republican Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker among the candidates on the ballot. All six U.S. House seats are also up for election, alongside state legislative and local contests. Those choices connect voters’ immediate financial concerns to decisions made in Washington, Frankfort and their own communities.
Key offices open for Jackson County voters to exercise their voice and decide who will function in these critical seats include Jackson County Sheriff, Jackson County Judge Executive, Magistrates, Constables, State Representative District 89, US Congressman District 5, & US Senator. Several of these involve candidates with no opposition in Jackson County.
The following are the Offices and candidates on the Jackson County ballot along with their total Jackson County votes. The recapitulation sheets showing the breakdown by voting precinct will be in next week’s paper. *It is important to note that the vote totals that follow are for Jackson County only. Total votes for candidates running over a multicounty region will be reported in next week’s issue.
County Judge Executive
- Paul Hays (R) --- 2,170 (WINNER)
- Willard Jason Lainhart (I) --- 1,201
- Lynetta Hunter (Write In) --- 230
Magistrate District 1 (unopposed)
- Tim Madden --- 1,148 (WINNER)
Magistrate District 2 (unopposed)
- Robbie Belt --- 1,325 (WINNER)
Magistrate District 3 (unopposed)
- Rex Tillery --- 1,320 (WINNER)
County Sheriff (unopposed)
- Daniel Isaacs --- 3,251 (WINNER)
Constable District 1 (unopposed)
- Johnny Peters --- 1,148 (WINNER)
Constable District 2 (unopposed)
- Steve Gill --- 1,325 (WINNER)
Constable District 3 (unopposed)
- Ben Davidson --- 1,320 (WINNER)
County Attorney (unopposed)
- Ross Murray --- 3,086 (WINNER)
County Clerk (unopposed)
- Donald “Duck” Moore --- 3,267 (WINNER)
Jailer (unopposed)
- Brian Gabbard --- 3,261 (WINNER)
Property Valuation Administrator (unopposed)
- Bobby Edwards --- 3,124 (WINNER)
Coroner (unopposed)
- Conley Tyra --- 3,283 (WINNER)
School Candidates (Board of Education)
BOE District 3 (unopposed)
Debbie Nicholson (Nonpartisan) --- 912 (WINNER)
BOE District 4 (unopposed)
Rhonda Allen (Nonpartisan) --- 566 (WINNER)
City of McKee (Nonpartisan)
City of McKee Mayor
Dylan Harrison --- 74 (WINNER) John Tompkins --- 41
City of McKee – City Council
Jewell Gabbard (Nonpartisan) --- 70 (WINNER)
Mike Sandlin (Nonpartisan) --- 54 (WINNER)
Richard Barton (Nonpartisan) --- 42
Brandon Vickers (Nonpartisan) --- 53 (WINNER)
Cathy Howell (Nonpartisan) --- 63 (WINNER)
Vicky Gabbard (Nonpartisan) --- 72 (WINNER)
Richard M. Waite I (Nonpartisan) --- 57 (WINNER)
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, and 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 had crowded fields of declared and filing-official candidates. Following are the candidates that won their primary and ran in the general election.
- Andy Barr (R) --- 3,043 (WINNER)
- Charles Booker (D) --- 494
- Christopher Campbell (KY) --- 128
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 included:
- Hal Rogers (R) --- 2,873 (WINNER)
- Ned Pillersdorf (D) --- 413
- Mikel Wein (I) --- 71
- Gerardo Serrano (I) --- 276
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) (unopposed)
- Timmy Truett (R) (incumbent) --- 3,104 (WINNER)
*It is important to note that while these are the vote numbers reported by the Jackson County Clerk’s Office they are still unofficial until they receive certification from the state. A more detailed break down will be in next week’s issue.
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