Charlie Castlen will serve as Daviess County’s next Judge-Executive after winning his race in the General Election on Tuesday. While he’s no stranger to the Fiscal Court, he’ll be leading an all new set of County Commissioners.
Castlen earned 20,203 votes, beating out opponent Bruce Kunze (12,533 votes).
“It was really good seeing the results. I feel deeply humbled by the support that is being shown,” Castlen said.
Castlen will lead a Fiscal Court filled by all newly elected Commissioners Janie Marksberry (East), Chris Castlen (West) and Larry Conder (Central).
He said that he plans to meet with them at the start of their term to learn their interests as Commissioners and assign them out as community liaisons to different boards throughout the county — like that of his predecessor Al Mattingly.
“I want to meet with the different commissioners and see where they intersect,” Castlen said.
One of Castlen’s main goals is to see to completion the broadband internet program currently being installed. He also wants to build connections with his constituents in his new position.
Castlen has served for three terms as a County Commissioner and previously spent 12 years on the Owensboro City Commission.
Castlen thinks the county is in good financial shape and that it’ll take “good leaders who will keep it there.” He said that government and elected officials shouldn’t be a dominant factor in daily life, despite what some others may believe.
During his campaign, he said the position of Judge-Executive isn’t supposed to come in with a list of things he would like to get accomplished. Instead, it’s about listening to the people in the county to see if there’s something the government should pursue or work on changing.
He said he’s appreciative of all who voted for him in the general election and hopes to meet their needs now that he is elected.
“When somebody votes for you it’s [them saying] ‘I have faith that I am going to represent the community and you’re going do the right thing,’ and that’s very humbling,” Castlen said.
