County Judge/Executive, Jackson 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: they prepare the county budget, run county government and preside over the fiscal court.

The Secretary of State's county filings list also shows a declared write-in candidate, entered as "Hunter Lynetta".

Paul S. Hays

Republican

Jackson County sheriff

The gist

• Supports working with Operation UNITE against drug problemsIn office
• Supports communicating with county and state leadersIn office

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

More about Paul

View sources (1)

1. Supports working with Operation UNITE against drug problems

   Sheriff — Jackson County, Kentucky

   Government record · Jackson County · jacksoncountyky.net

   “There are drug issues in every county, but you can work with Operation UNITE and other drug-investigating organizations to combat that problem.”

2. Supports communicating with county and state leaders

   Sheriff — Jackson County, Kentucky

   Government record · Jackson County · jacksoncountyky.net

   “We should communicate with county and state leaders. Address small problems before they escalate”

WL

Willard Jason Lainhart

Independent

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Willard

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.