Judges & courts

District Judge, 22nd Judicial District

Division 2

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

What this office does: A district judge hears misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims and smaller civil cases, juvenile matters and probate in the district's counties. Nonpartisan.

Open seat: Judge T. Bruce Bell is not seeking reelection (Lexington Herald-Leader). Brooks and Garcia were the top two of three candidates in the May 19, 2026 nonpartisan primary.

Candidates Compare by issue

Shannon Brooks

No party listed

Public defender · Lexington

The gist

Supports more resources for specialty courts and mediation
Pledges alternate services if specialty courts are discontinued
Supports restoring voting rights and expungements where lawful
Pledges to apply the law without political bias

More about Shannon

View sources (2)

Supports more resources for specialty courts and mediation
Vote Local Lexington: District Judge, 22nd Judicial District – 2nd Division (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · CivicLex (Vote Local Lexington) · lex.vote
“The lack of resources for Specialty Courts (Drug Courts & Mental Health Court) and Court Mediation Programs cripples a Judge's ability”
Pledges alternate services if specialty courts are discontinued
Vote Local Lexington: District Judge, 22nd Judicial District – 2nd Division (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · CivicLex (Vote Local Lexington) · lex.vote
“if these Courts are discontinued completely, I shall find an alternate avenue to provide services to individuals”
Supports restoring voting rights and expungements where lawful
Vote Local Lexington: District Judge, 22nd Judicial District – 2nd Division (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · CivicLex (Vote Local Lexington) · lex.vote
“I support the restoration of voting rights and expungements, when the law allows.”
Pledges to apply the law without political bias
3 local attorneys bid for Fayette County district judge seat in primary election
Interview · Lexington Herald-Leader · May 11, 2026 · kentucky.com
“The law is the law, regardless of politics, and should be applied fairly without political bias.”

Alex Garcia

No party listed

Attorney; U.S. Army Reserve JAG officer · Lexington

The gist

Proposes 'Court 101' workshops at libraries and community centers
Proposes lining up interpreters before arraignment and eviction dockets
Pledges equal care in every case despite outside pressure
Supports a bench that reflects the community it serves

More about Alex

View sources (2)

Proposes 'Court 101' workshops at libraries and community centers
Vote Local Lexington: District Judge, 22nd Judicial District – 2nd Division (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · CivicLex (Vote Local Lexington) · lex.vote
“I would like to create "Court 101" workshops that are hosted at local community centers, libraries, and schools in Lexington.”
Proposes lining up interpreters before arraignment and eviction dockets
Vote Local Lexington: District Judge, 22nd Judicial District – 2nd Division (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · CivicLex (Vote Local Lexington) · lex.vote
“streamline the scheduling workflow for Fayette District Court’s high-volume arraignment and eviction dockets to ensure certified interpreters”
Pledges equal care in every case despite outside pressure
3 local attorneys bid for Fayette County district judge seat in primary election
Interview · Lexington Herald-Leader · May 11, 2026 · kentucky.com
“My job, if elected, is to handle each case with the same care regardless of what is happening in Frankfort”
Supports a bench that reflects the community it serves
3 local attorneys bid for Fayette County district judge seat in primary election
Interview · Lexington Herald-Leader · May 11, 2026 · kentucky.com
“A bench that reflects the community it serves is a bench voters trust”

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.