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County Judge/Executive, Bath County

Vote for
1
Term
4 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county judge/executive is Bath County's chief executive and leads the fiscal court: the judge/executive develops the county budget, oversees county policies and represents the county to the state and federal governments.

Open seat: Judge/Executive Forrest "Frosty" McKenzie is not on the ballot.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Banford D. "Buddy" Wilson

Republican

The gist

  • Proposes reactivating the Bath County Industrial Board
  • Pledges to seek extra state funding for county roads
  • Proposes a more cost-effective program for housing inmates
  • Proposes a self-funding county park director position
More about Banford
View sources (1)

  1. Proposes reactivating the Bath County Industrial Board

    Banford "Buddy" Wilson, candidate for Bath County Judge Executive (paid campaign advertisement), Bath County News-Outlook, May 7, 2026, p. 8

    Public statement · Bath County News-Outlook · May 7, 2026 · kynewsgroup.com

    “Reactivate the Bath Co. Industrial Board with newly energized support”

  2. Pledges to seek extra state funding for county roads

    Banford "Buddy" Wilson, candidate for Bath County Judge Executive (paid campaign advertisement), Bath County News-Outlook, May 7, 2026, p. 8

    Public statement · Bath County News-Outlook · May 7, 2026 · kynewsgroup.com

    “Partner with State Rural Roads Commissioner for extra funding and ideas”

  3. Proposes a more cost-effective program for housing inmates

    Banford "Buddy" Wilson, candidate for Bath County Judge Executive (paid campaign advertisement), Bath County News-Outlook, May 7, 2026, p. 8

    Public statement · Bath County News-Outlook · May 7, 2026 · kynewsgroup.com

    “Develop a more cost effective program for housing our inmates”

  4. Proposes a self-funding county park director position

    Banford "Buddy" Wilson, candidate for Bath County Judge Executive (paid campaign advertisement), Bath County News-Outlook, May 7, 2026, p. 8

    Public statement · Bath County News-Outlook · May 7, 2026 · kynewsgroup.com

    “Create a Park Director position that will fund its own salary at no cost to the county”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.