*Editors Note:* Owensboro Times made an effort to contact all candidates via the email address provided by candidates to the County Clerk’s office. Candidates who are missing information can email us at [email protected] or contact us via https://www.owensborotimes.com/contact/
With the 2018 general election today, Owensboro Times offers voters one more chance to familiarize themselves with the candidates running for office before heading to the polls. Owensboro Times requested candidates from both local and state elections answer a brief survey regarding their platform. The following answered that request and wished to be included in the Owensboro Times’ “Meet the Candidates” feature.
Hank Linderman (Democrat)
US Representative in Congress (2nd Congressional District)
Attended Atherton High School (Louisville, Ky.); Attended University of Louisville
Platform: I care about these issues: healthcare for all including protecting pre-existing condition coverage, better jobs and wages, education, opioid crisis solutions, protecting social security and Medicare, comprehensive medical marijuana reform, rural broadband for internet access.
Matt Castlen (Republican)
State Senate (8th Representative District)
Attended Daviess County High School; American Welding Society welding degree from Owensboro Community and Technical College
Platform: I am running to advocate for even more residents of Western Kentucky. I have heard from people about their concerns – jobs, the pension crisis, combating opioid addiction, and many others – and I am committed to working across party lines to find answers to these problems.
Suzanne Miles (Republican)
State Representative (7th Representative District)
Attended Apollo High School; Transylvania University, BA
Platform: I am running for a Better Kentucky! Briefly being in Frankfort, I have realized the neglect in Kentucky toward education, infrastructure, and public protection for decades. We are finally on the right track and moving in a positive direction with more work to be done. It’s been an honor to serve!
Jim Gooch, Jr. (Republican)
State Representative (12th Representative District)
Attended Providence High School; Western Kentucky University 1969-1972
Platform: Continuing my commitment to better funding for public education, full funding for our troubled pension plans, creating partnerships with industry and educators where workers have the skills that business need, combating our serious drug problem, and maintaining low-cost electricity.
Bruce Kunze (Democrat)
State Representative (12th Representative District)
Attended Owensboro High School; BA and MA in Education from University of Kentucky; Rank I in Counseling from Western Kentucky University
Platform: I am running because it is time for a change in the 12th District. We need leaders who will work together to solve the problems that face Kentucky including pension and tax reform, infrastructure, opioids, and the needs of working families. I will listen and represent the people of the 12th District.
DJ Johnson (Republican)
State Representative (13th Representative District)
Attended Apollo High School; Western Kentucky University – BA in Communications
Platform: Economic opportunity, reduced government bureaucracy, fiscal responsibility and the protection of personal freedoms. Represent all of the people, not just anyone special interest group. Deal with the tough issues. Don’t kick the can down the road. Be accessible, listen, and serve with integrity.
Elizabeth M. Belcher (Democrat)
State Representative (14th Representative District)
Attended Mount St. Joseph Academy; Henderson Community College
Platform: Fighting for Working Families, Living Wage, Education, Public Pensions, Healthcare for All, Medical Marijuana, Internet Infrastructure
Scott Lewis (Republican)
State Representative (14th Representative District)
Attended Stuart High School – Louisville, Ky.; Lindsey Wilson College; University of Louisville – Bachelor of Science Degree; Western Kentucky University Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Rank 1 Degree in School Administration
Platform: I think that teachers and state employees deserve the pension that they earned and public education should be funded properly. We also need more investment in career and technical education. I am pro-life and a defender of our second amendment rights.
Nick Burlew
District Judge (6th Judicial District 3rd Division)
Attended Owensboro High School and Culver Military Academy; Southern Methodist University – Bachelor of Business Administration; University of Louisville School of Law – Juris Doctorate
Platform: I’ve been a district court judge since 2009 and I truly feel blessed and honored to have served. Since then I’ve been entrusted to continue by being elected twice. I know I’ve lived up to that trust by showing all before me respect, equality and compassion according to law. I hope to remain serving as I love trying to help folks yet being tough when justified.
Misty Miller
District Judge (6th Judicial District 3rd Division)
Attended Daviess County High School; Kentucky Wesleyan – BA in Political Science; Minor in German; Northern Kentucky University – Juris Doctor
Platform: We need change and with 13 years as a prosecutor in district court I have the experience and energy to do that. I am working to establish a mental health court within district court to address mental health issues in criminal cases. I also have a plan to expedite the criminal docket.
Jeffrey Jones (Democrat)
Coroner
Attended Owensboro Catholic High School and Eastern Kentucky University
Platform: Committed to promoting community education and awareness focused on preventing behaviors that can lead to unnecessary death.
Claud Porter (Democrat)
County Attorney
Attended Madisonville-North Hopkins; University of Kentucky, B.S. Urban Studies; M.A. Economics University of Louisville, J.D.
Platform: County Attorney’s Office provides a wide range of services to the public: prosecuting misdemeanor and traffic offenses; juvenile public offense, dependency, neglect and abuse; mental health; disability; drug dependency filings; collects child support, delinquent taxes; Fiscal Court, elected offices.
Richard House (Democrat)
Daviess County Clerk
Attended Owensboro High School; Western Kentucky University – Bachelors in Management and a Masters in Business Administration
Platform: For 22 years, I have worked for you in the County Clerk’s Office. It has been an honor. I have enjoyed serving our community. During this time, I have learned every aspect of the office and went back to school to get my education to be prepared to better serve you as the next County Clerk.
Leslie McCarty (Republican)
Daviess County Clerk
Attended Valley High School, Louisville, Ky.; Texas Woman’s University – Masters Library Science; Western Kentucky University – Bachelors of Arts
Platform: To serve my community, to bring new leadership and management experience to the table and to invigorate the clerk’s office with fresh eyes.
J. William “Bill” Weikel (Democrat)
County Surveyor
Attended Daviess County High School
Platform: I have been in surveying for 45 years and licensed surveyor for 33 years. Which makes me very qualified for being the County Surveyor.
Mike Koger (Democrat)
County Commissioner (Eastern District)
Attended Daviess County High School; Brescia University and Lockyear Business College
Platform: Continue to support high-paying jobs & protect local jobs; Promote skilled labor training & education; Encourage open door policy; Bring awareness to drug abuse & domestic violence; Support law enforcement, fire departments & first responders; Support infrastructure improvements
Jimmie Sapp (Republican)
County Commissioner (Eastern District)
Attended Apollo High School; North America service training – Memphis, Tennessee
Platform: I am Christian and a lifelong resident of Daviess County. As the only, truly conservative candidate I will focus on keeping taxes low, job growth and protecting your second amendment rights! I am 100% pro-life! I am always just a phone call away (270)-315-3157.
Deborah Taylor Duncan (Democrat)
Jailer
Attended McGuffey High School (Claysville, PA); Owensboro Community and Technical College – Computer Programming Certificate & A+ Prep Certificate
Platform: Using 10+ years experience and 15+ years mental/behavioral health experience will help me to keep our community, staff and inmates safe. Staff recruitment and retention are also priorities. I will collaborate with outside resources to bring additional programs with the goal of reducing recidivism.
Art Maglinger (Republican)
Jailer
Attended Owensboro High School; Master of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University; Bachelor of Arts from Western Kentucky University, major in sociology and double-minor in psychology and criminology
Platform: I am diligent as your Jailer to ensure community safety, fiscal responsibility and institutional security. My multi-faceted law enforcement career, educational background and actual experience as Jailer have provided me with the aptitude to serve this community, the jail staff and inmates!
Jennifer Hardesty Besecker (Democrat)
Daviess County Circuit Clerk
Attended Owensboro Catholic High School
Platform: I have 22 years of experience working for the Circuit Court Clerk and want to continue to serve the constituents of Owensboro and Daviess County. I want to thank you for the overwhelming support in the May primary and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 6th.
Cathy Kramer (Republican)
Justice of the Peace (Western District)
Attended Owensboro Catholic High School; Brescia University Pastoral Ministry and Bachelors of Science
Platform: To provide sincere, quality care as a wedding officiant. Every love story deserves a happy celebration, with a promise and a kiss.
Larry Conder
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Daviess County High School; Brescia University – BS in business, minor in Economics; Murray State University – MBA
Platform: Continue to advocate “Wants Versus Needs” of Owensboro, while addressing the additional state pension costs that will total over $2.5 million. Public safety (OPD, OFD and first responders) will always be a top priority. Grow the tax basis. No new debt. Engage Frankfort to remember Owensboro.
Larry Maglinger
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Daviess County High School; Sam’s Technical Institute of Electronics
Platform: I am running to support: 1. Responsible use of tax dollars 2. Ensuring a safe community 3. Supporting local businesses 4. Moving our city forward
Adam Marshall
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Daviess County High School; Owensboro Community & Technical College – Associate of Arts; Eastern Kentucky University – Bachelors of Science in Homeland Security
Platform: I want to provide a strong younger voice for all citizens dedicated to conservative spending and eliminating debt, increased job growth, more public-private partnership to drive economic growth, we will better support our public servants and we will respect everyone in the process.
Mark McCoy
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Boone Junior-Senior High; Iowa State University – BFA
Platform: Financial responsibility transparency in for their development on the west end of Owensboro
Jeff Sanford
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Apollo High School; Business Administration at Western Kentucky University
Platform: First we need positive leadership to keep our community moving in the right direction. Our economic development corporation needs to be revisited on the makeup of the board. I would like to see more involvement from the skilled trade community. Revitalize west side through streamlining rules.
Rick Searcy
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Ft. Campbell High School
Platform: I’m running to do my part to make this a better city. I have spent my adult life learning about this city and ways to improve it. My career has allowed me to benefit many, and I am committed to making a safe and prosperous community through unity, fiscal responsibility, and good infrastructure.
Charlie Shelton
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Owensboro Catholic High School; University of Southern Indiana Bachelor of Science – Accounting and Professional Services; University of Louisville Bachelor of Science – Business Administration with Finance Concentration
Platform: I am running to represent all citizens of Owensboro, to be their voice for our vision as we plan our future and move forward together. As a CPA and former risk analyst, I want our commission to have a strategic plan that allows the citizens to give input and provide feedback and limit new taxes.
Jay Velotta
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Daviess County High School; Owensboro Community & Technical College
Platform: I have gained a new understanding of the position and would like the opportunity to see the completion of ongoing and new projects for the community. Citizens need a voice and I feel I am that voice of reason. I will work to continue progress while remaining fiscally responsible to all taxpayer
Pamela Smith-Wright
Running for Owensboro City Commission
Attended Owensboro High School; Rosebud Beauty Academy, St. Louis, MO.; Owensboro Community and Technical College – Cosmetologist Degree; South Seas Cooking School, Captiva Island, FL. Cooking Certification
Platform: I have been a commissioner for the past four terms and have watched Owensboro revitalized right before our eyes. I want to continue to serve the citizens of Owensboro and continue the progressive path we are on. We must keep the momentum going or we are destined to revert back to where we were.
Jennifer Wedding Hardesty
Whitesville Mayor
Attended Daviess County High School
Platform: To help bring in other resources so the taxpayers & local businesses owners won’t have to carry the full load of taxes that this city is run on.I’m looking at using the park to bring in events to help offset the budget.
James Morgan
Running for Daviess County School Board (1st Educational District)
Attended Union County High School (Morganfield, Ky.); B.S. – Western Kentucky University; M.S. – Murray State University; Rank 1 – Western Kentucky University
Platform: I have served as an educator for 31 years with 30 of those being at DCPS. I am a strong advocate of public education. DCPS is an outstanding school system and I want the opportunity to help guide it to meet the needs of all the students it serves.
Tom Payne
Running for Daviess County School Board (2nd Educational District)
Attended Daviess County High School; Kentucky Wesleyan – bachelor’s degree; Western Kentucky University – master’s degree and Rank I; Vanderbilt University – Doctorate in Education
Platform: Education is the key to success for all students and I’d like to continue to serve the Daviess County School District supporting policies and decisions that help allow this to occur. I would like to continue to be involved in our major building projects, Apollo and a new DCMS.
John D. Blaney Jr.
Running for Owensboro City School Board
Attended Langley High School; Kentucky Wesleyan College – bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education; master’s degree and Rank 1 in school administration – Western Kentucky University
Platform: I’m running for re-election to the Owensboro School Board. Educating our children is the most important thing we do for the future of our community. My experience as an educator and as a school board member allows me to be a vital member of the Owensboro School Board team.
Jeremy Luckett
Running for Owensboro City School Board
Attended Western Hills High School; University of Kentucky – Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology; University of Kentucky College of Medicine – Doctor of Medicine
Platform: I feel like I need to serve my community outside my career as a primary care physician. I learned a great deal about our community through Leadership Owensboro and I want to continue the history of excellence in Owensboro Public Schools and strive for the best education for our kids.
Please email Ashley Sorce at [email protected] if you would like to be included in the Owensboro Times Meet the Candidate feature.
