Judges & courts

Circuit Judge, 50th Judicial Circuit

Division 1

Vote for: 1
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A circuit judge presides over felony trials and larger civil cases in the circuit's counties. Nonpartisan.

Candidates Compare by issue

Christopher Reed

No party listed

Attorney · Danville

The gist

Supports treatment and alternative sentencing for youthful offenders
Supports a mental health court and misdemeanor drug court

More about Christopher

View sources (1)

Supports treatment and alternative sentencing for youthful offenders
Meet the Candidates: District Judge for Boyle and Mercer Counties
Candidate questionnaire · The Advocate-Messenger · May 13, 2022 · amnews.com
“I believe we need to encourage treatment and alternative sentencing prior findings of guilt, especially for youthful offenders”
Supports a mental health court and misdemeanor drug court
Meet the Candidates: District Judge for Boyle and Mercer Counties
Candidate questionnaire · The Advocate-Messenger · May 13, 2022 · amnews.com
“We need mental health court, which with a degree in psychology, I’m uniquely qualified for. We need misdemeanor drug court.”

Whitney Johns

No party listedIncumbent

Circuit judge, 50th Judicial Circuit (Boyle and Mercer counties) · Harrodsburg

The gist

Led expansion of drug court since her appointment

More about Whitney

View sources (1)

Led expansion of drug court since her appointment
Meet Whitney | Keep Judge Whitney Johns
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Judge Whitney Johns · judgejohns.com
“Since her appointment, Judge Johns has rapidly expanded Drug Court and worked to increase community engagement with the court.”

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; 2 issues covered in this race.