County

County Judge/Executive, Daviess County

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

What this office does: The county judge/executive is the county's chief executive: runs county government, prepares the budget and presides over the fiscal court.

Candidates Compare by issue

William "Rod" Kuegel Jr.

Democratic

Farmer, Kuegel Farms

The gist

Proposes weekly meetings between judge-executive and Owensboro mayor
Supports a united city-county front to win new jobs
Supports officials explaining the reasons for their decisions
Supports focusing on local issues like drainage and streets

More about William

View sources (1)

Proposes weekly meetings between judge-executive and Owensboro mayor
Rod Kuegel announces candidacy for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Imagine if the mayor of Owensboro and the Daviess County judge-executive met weekly to ensure we’re doing everything possible to make our community better”
Supports a united city-county front to win new jobs
Rod Kuegel announces candidacy for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“If we’re going to get those jobs, we have to be cohesive. We have to be together and present a united front.”
Supports officials explaining the reasons for their decisions
Rod Kuegel announces candidacy for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“listen to everyone who has comments, and then make a decision and explain why they made that decision”
Supports focusing on local issues like drainage and streets
Rod Kuegel announces candidacy for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“when it comes to the issues of drainage, the cleanliness of our streets, or the issues that are so important to our people locally”

Charlie Castlen

RepublicanIncumbent

Daviess County Judge/Executive

The gist

Supports zoning changes along major corridors to spur industry
Supports increased county support for sheriff and jail
Supports continuing broadband expansion and park improvements
Supported replacing volunteer fire dues with insurance premium feeIn office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Charlie

View sources (2)

Supports zoning changes along major corridors to spur industry
Castlen announces re-election bid for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“He credited policy changes made under his administration, including adjustments to zoning rules along major corridors, with helping spur industrial development.”
Supports increased county support for sheriff and jail
Castlen announces re-election bid for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Castlen said the Fiscal Court has increased support for the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.”
Supports continuing broadband expansion and park improvements
Castlen announces re-election bid for Daviess County Judge-Executive
News coverage · Owensboro Times · Oct 23, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Castlen also referenced infrastructure and quality-of-life projects, including broadband expansion, park improvements, and ongoing support for local organizations”
Supported replacing volunteer fire dues with insurance premium fee
Fiscal Court Approves New Funding Model for Volunteer Fire Stations
Government record · Daviess County Fiscal Court · Nov 15, 2023 · daviessky.org
“Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen said the repeal and replace plan will address a shortfall in funding at many departments.”

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.