Judges & courts

District Judge, 6th Judicial District

Division 1

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 Misty Miller is retiring at the end of her term (Messenger-Inquirer). Payne and Rogers were the top two of four candidates in the May 19, 2026 nonpartisan primary.

Candidates Compare by issue

J. Nick Payne

No party listed

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

The gist

Pledges a more streamlined, efficient district court
Pledges to follow the law as written
Pledges to explain rulings to both sides
Supports making juvenile justice a priority

More about J.

View sources (2)

Pledges a more streamlined, efficient district court
Payne seeking election as Daviess District Court, Division 1 judge
Interview · The Owensboro Times · Nov 14, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“Nobody really wants to go, but I want to make it as streamlined as possible, as efficient as possible”
Pledges to follow the law as written
Judge candidates tout experience in race for Daviess District Court seat
Interview · Messenger-Inquirer · May 15, 2026 · messenger-inquirer.com
“making sure everyone gets a fair trial, and following the law, not what I think the law is”
Pledges to explain rulings to both sides
Judge candidates tout experience in race for Daviess District Court seat
Interview · Messenger-Inquirer · May 15, 2026 · messenger-inquirer.com
“They need to explain to both sides, so they know why the court has ruled the way it has”
Supports making juvenile justice a priority
Payne seeking election as Daviess District Court, Division 1 judge
Interview · The Owensboro Times · Nov 14, 2025 · owensborotimes.com
“One of the biggest concerns I have is juvenile justice right now, and that needs to be touched upon”

Lelah Rogers

No party listed

Public defender, Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy · Owensboro

The gist

Pledges to be a fair, prepared and impartial judge
Supports balancing accountability with compassion
Supports treating juvenile gun violence as the most urgent issue
Pledges that no one leaves court confused about rulings

More about Lelah

View sources (3)

Pledges to be a fair, prepared and impartial judge
Judge candidates tout experience in race for Daviess District Court seat
Interview · Messenger-Inquirer · May 15, 2026 · messenger-inquirer.com
“a fair, prepared and impartial judge”
Supports balancing accountability with compassion
About Lelah — Lelah Rogers for District Judge – Division I
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Lelah Rogers · lelahrogers4judge.com
“Rogers believes that accountability and compassion are both essential elements of the justice system.”
Supports treating juvenile gun violence as the most urgent issue
Rogers seeking district court judge seat, emphasizes experience and community focus
Interview · The Owensboro Times · Apr 20, 2026 · owensborotimes.com
“the most urgent issue we are seeing right now is gun violence”
Pledges that no one leaves court confused about rulings
Judge candidates tout experience in race for Daviess District Court seat
Interview · Messenger-Inquirer · May 15, 2026 · messenger-inquirer.com
“so no one leaves the court not understanding what happened”

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.