Candidates file for judgeships; four primaries May 19

The filing deadline for this year's judicial elections in Kentucky passed Jan. 9, creating four primary elections on May 19, and candidates drew for ballot positions yesterday. Primaries are held when more than two candidates file for the same office, with the two top vote-getters advancing to the general election. Judicial elections in Kentucky are nonpartisan.

Here are the primary elections for judgeships, with candidates listed by ballot position:

• 6th District (Daviess County), Division 1: J. Nick Payne, William C. Mattingly, W. Russell Duty and Lelah Rogers.
• 22nd District (Lexington-Fayette), Division 2: Shannon Brooks, Alex Garcia and Aaron F. Fallahi.
• 25th District (Clark and Madison), Division 1: Micah Shwan Johnson of Berea, Darrian D. Botts of Richmond and Tyler S. Frazier of Richmond.
• 40th District (Clinton, Russell and Wayne), Division 2: Tom Simmons, Monticello; Lee Whittenburg, Monticello; Athena Cooper Bradshaw, Russell Springs.

Frazier, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2025, is the only incumbent in a primary. His opponents were the two other nominees for the seat. The other races are for seats being given up by incumbents.

All district judgeships are on the ballot this year. In addition to the four judgeships above, there will be at least nine contested general elections for District Court. They are in Hart and LaRue counties (10th District); Henry, Oldham and Trimble counties (12th); Carroll, Grant and Owen counties (15th); Harrison, Nicholas, Pendleton and Robertson counties (18th); the 6th Division seat in Jefferson County (30th); Floyd County (31st); Boyle and Mercer counties (50th) and Henderson County (51st District).

If vacancies occur, as is common, additional general elections would be held. 

The races for unexpired terms for circuit judgeships are in Boyle and Mercer counties, between Christopher Reed and appointed Judge Whitney Z. Johns; and for Family Court in Bullitt County, between Amanda Spalding and appointed Judge Monica Meredith.

The highest-level race this year is for the Court of Appeals seat vacated by the November 2024 election of Pamela Goodwine to the state Supreme Court. Lucy VanMeter opposes appointed Judge Will Moynahan; both are from Lexington. The only Supreme Court seat on the ballot is held by Chief Justice Debra Lambert, who drew no opponent.