Craig Zeiss Clymer
Candidate for County Judge/Executive, McCracken County
Background
- Occupation
- McCracken County judge/executive
McCracken County judge/executive since January 2019, now in his second term. A former Paducah police officer, he served six years as a district judge and 17 years as a circuit judge.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Pledges to keep cutting, then end, the insurance premium tax
Clymer defended levying the county's insurance premium tax to bring the county out of a financial bind; he said it has been cut 30%, with a 9% cut planned for the next budget, and is meant to be eliminated when viable.
ReportMcCracken County judge executive Republican candidates speak at Paducah Chamber forumNews coverage · WPSD Local 6 · May 12, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
“We don't like the tax, but we're getting rid of it”
Economy & jobs
Supports the planned AI data center at DOE Paducah Site
Clymer said the $100 billion project would bring property and occupational tax revenue and jobs, and that the county will need several thousand new housing units.
ReportProject leaders share details of DOE Paducah Site's $100B AI energy hubNews coverage · WPSD Local 6 · Jul 29, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
“It's going to bring massive wealth into our county and community, so we're really excited about that.”
Government & transparency
Opposes merging Paducah and McCracken County governments
Clymer said county residents don't want a consolidated city-county government, which voters rejected in 2012, and that a merger would raise taxes.
ReportClymer accuses Bray of consolidation agenda in judge executive raceNews coverage · WPSD Local 6 · Apr 15, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
“I don't think there's any way in the world that the county folks want to do that.”
Opposes Paducah annexing county property
Clymer said each annexation moves tax revenue from the county to the city.
ReportClymer accuses Bray of consolidation agenda in judge executive raceNews coverage · WPSD Local 6 · Apr 15, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
“I've been trying to try to stand in the way of that, frankly, because the county needs to grow as well.”
All sources (7)
- McCracken County Sample Ballot, General Election, November 3, 2026 (composite ballot published under KRS 424.290)
Election filing · McCracken County Clerk (posted by the Kentucky Secretary of State) · web.sos.ky.gov
- Candidate Filings with the County Clerk, 2026 (McCracken County)
Election filing · Kentucky Secretary of State · web.sos.ky.gov
- Craig Z. Clymer – Judge Executive
Government record · McCracken County Fiscal Court · mccrackencountyky.gov
- Bray, Clymer ramp up for McCracken judge executive race
News coverage · WPSD Local 6 · May 20, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
- McCracken County judge executive Republican candidates speak at Paducah Chamber forum
News coverage · WPSD Local 6 · May 12, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
- Clymer accuses Bray of consolidation agenda in judge executive race
News coverage · WPSD Local 6 · Apr 15, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
- Project leaders share details of DOE Paducah Site's $100B AI energy hub
News coverage · WPSD Local 6 · Jul 29, 2026 · wpsdlocal6.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.