County

County Judge/Executive, Nelson County

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

What this office does: The county judge/executive is Nelson County's chief executive and leads the fiscal court: the judge/executive develops the county budget, oversees county policies and represents the county to the state and federal governments.

Candidates Compare by issue

James Taylor "JT" Roby

Democratic

The gist

Proposes an online "open gradebook" of county spending
Supports repairing busy roads and expanding high-speed internet
Supports industry-school partnerships to keep graduates working locally
Supports modern equipment and competitive pay for first responders

More about James

View sources (1)

Proposes an online "open gradebook" of county spending
Ashby, Corder and Roby vie for Judge-Executive nomination
News coverage · The Kentucky Standard · May 16, 2026 · pmg-ky2.com
“aiming to implement a digital “open gradebook” allowing citizens to see how and where county funds are being spent”
Supports repairing busy roads and expanding high-speed internet
Ashby, Corder and Roby vie for Judge-Executive nomination
News coverage · The Kentucky Standard · May 16, 2026 · pmg-ky2.com
“prioritizing repairs on high-traffic roads for safety and expanding high-speed internet because it is necessity”
Supports industry-school partnerships to keep graduates working locally
Ashby, Corder and Roby vie for Judge-Executive nomination
News coverage · The Kentucky Standard · May 16, 2026 · pmg-ky2.com
“create stronger partnerships with local industries and schools to keep graduates working in high-paying jobs in Nelson County”
Supports modern equipment and competitive pay for first responders
Ashby, Corder and Roby vie for Judge-Executive nomination
News coverage · The Kentucky Standard · May 16, 2026 · pmg-ky2.com
“providing first responders with modern equipment and competitive pay and to address the root causes of addiction through community-based recovery”

Tim Hutchins

RepublicanIncumbent

The gist

Supports better county roads and additional bypasses
Supports developing a new industrial park for jobs
Supports offsetting revenue lost to the bourbon barrel tax repeal
Proposes restructuring the county police and sheriff departments

More about Tim

View sources (1)

Supports better county roads and additional bypasses
Hutchins announces re-election campaign for Nelson County judge-executive
News coverage · Nelson County Gazette · Nov 5, 2025 · nelsoncountygazette.com
“Continue improvements to county infrastructure — better roads, additional bypasses, and long-term transportation planning.”
Supports developing a new industrial park for jobs
Hutchins announces re-election campaign for Nelson County judge-executive
News coverage · Nelson County Gazette · Nov 5, 2025 · nelsoncountygazette.com
“Develop a new industrial park to create good-paying jobs for our citizens and families.”
Supports offsetting revenue lost to the bourbon barrel tax repeal
Hutchins announces re-election campaign for Nelson County judge-executive
News coverage · Nelson County Gazette · Nov 5, 2025 · nelsoncountygazette.com
“Find solutions to offset the impact of the bourbon barrel tax repeal and protect county revenues.”
Proposes restructuring the county police and sheriff departments
Hutchins announces re-election campaign for Nelson County judge-executive
News coverage · Nelson County Gazette · Nov 5, 2025 · nelsoncountygazette.com
“Restructure the police and sheriff departments to improve oversight, ensure fiscal responsibility, build public trust, strengthen police protection, and eliminate waste.”

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; 5 issues covered in this race.