The Gist
State Senator, 8th District
Photo of Gary M. Boswell
Gary M. BoswellKentucky Legislative Research Commission

Gary M. Boswell

Candidate for State Senator, 8th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator; farmer and real estate developer
Lives in
Owensboro

State senator for District 8 (Daviess, Hancock and McLean counties) since 2023 and vice chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. A farmer and real estate developer, he is a former Daviess County commissioner.

Report

Photo: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Pledges lower taxes, fewer regulations and less wasteful spending.

    Campaign priorities he listed when announcing his re-election bid.

    Boswell announces bid for re-election to Kentucky Senate

    News coverage · The Owensboro Times · Sep 27, 2025 · owensborotimes.com

    “protecting our children, lowering taxes, reducing burdensome regulations and bureaucracy, strengthening education, and cutting wasteful spending”
    Report

  • Sponsored bill requiring votes on local tax hikes above 4%.

    SB 41 (2026) would put local property tax rates raising more than 4% over the compensating rate on the ballot automatically instead of by petition, excluding the school "nickel tax"; it passed the Senate and went no further in the House.

    Boswell files bills aiming to expand local authority over libraries, taxes

    News coverage · The Owensboro Times · Jan 10, 2026 · owensborotimes.com

    “citizens should automatically get the opportunity to approve or reject that decision at the ballot box”
    2026 Regular Session SB 41: AN ACT relating to the levy of an ad valorem tax rate.

    Government record · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov

    “voted upon by the voters if the tax rate produces more than 4% in revenues over the revenues produced by the compensating tax rate”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Sponsored law exempting private ponds from state fishing limits.In office

    SB 39 (2026) also loosens stocking rules for certain bass in private lakes and ponds. Signed by the governor April 10, 2026 (Acts Ch. 93).

    2026 Regular Session SB 39: AN ACT relating to fish and wildlife and declaring an emergency.

    Government record · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov

    “exempt a bona fide landowner of private land in the Commonwealth from restrictions on creel, possession, size, or method of take”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Sponsored law expanding county control over library board appointments.In office

    SB 40 (2026) applies in counties that adopted an alternative appointment process; it became law without the governor's signature (Acts Ch. 13).

    2026 Regular Session SB 40: AN ACT relating to public library district boards of trustees.

    Government record · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov

    “allow the county judge/executive to appoint a person other than the person recommended by the board”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Gary M. Boswell on them.

  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Economy & jobsNo documented position found.
  • Health & human servicesNo documented position found.

All sources (13)

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.