While much attention has been given to Owensboro’s Mayoral and City Commission races, there are several others on the ballot — including judges, school board, and a state representative. Here’s a quick breakdown of the contested races.
The sample ballot that can be viewed here includes all races that may appear on a ballot for a voter in Daviess County. However, not everyone will be able to vote for every race due to where voters live. The sample ballot indicates — using bold, all-caps text below each section — whether a specific race will appear on all ballots or only in certain precincts.
On October 24, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Red, White and Blue event held on the Daviess County Courthouse lawn provided a platform for candidates to briefly introduce themselves and discuss their platforms. Below is a brief breakdown of what each candidate said. You can watch a video of the entire event on the Chamber’s YouTube channel here.
Judge of the Court of Appeals – 1st Appellate District, 2nd Division
In April 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear appointed Daviess Circuit Court Judge Lisa Payne Jones to fill a vacant seat on the Kentucky Court of Appeals. She’s hoping to be elected to the seat for a full term and is facing challenger Jason Shea Fleming. The Court of Appeals is made up of 14 judges. Cases are assigned to a panel of three judges, and rulings and opinions will help shape legal opinion throughout the Commonwealth.
Jones discussed her extensive background serving Daviess County in roles ranging from Commonwealth Attorney to her current position. Jones underscored her dedication to community-based solutions, mentioning her efforts in establishing programs such as the juvenile drug court, adult drug court, and mental health court.
“If there’s a way that I can be a better judge, if there’s a way I can make my community healthier and safer, I’m going to do it,” Jones said, calling on voters to help her continue her work across western Kentucky’s 23 counties.
Fleming expressed his conservative values and commitment to interpreting the Constitution and statutes as written.
“Judges don’t make laws; judges apply the law,” Fleming said. With 18 years of experience as a family court judge, he pointed to numerous awards recognizing his fairness and integrity, including being named Judge of the Year by various organizations.
Circuit Judge – 6th Judicial District, 2nd Division
When Jones was appointed to the Court of Appeals, it left her Circuit seat vacant. Seeking the Circuit Judge seat are Leigh A. Jackson and David C. Payne.
Jackson, and attorney, emphasized her 24 years of legal experience, during which she handled complex cases in circuit court. Jackson highlighted her extensive knowledge of circuit court proceedings and her familiarity with both the people and challenges within the system, such as understaffing and backlog issues.
“I respect those participants and their critical roles in the circuit court process,” Jackson said, adding that her experience with specialty courts, including drug and mental health courts, equips her to make balanced and fair decisions.
Payne, a district court judge with 25 years on the bench, cited his deep judicial experience as a key asset. Payne highlighted his long tenure presiding over thousands of cases and his ability to balance strict sentencing with compassion for rehabilitation efforts, such as drug treatment and mental health programs.
“I’ve shown the strength to send people to jail when that was the right thing to do but also have shown compassion to help people stay out of jail,” Payne said, emphasizing his commitment to fairness and professionalism.
Daviess County Public Schools – 5th District
Three candidates are vying to represent Daviess County Public Schools’ 5th District on the Board of Education: Dale Stewart, John “Trey” Pippin III, and Timothy Hicks.
Stewart, who currently serves on the board and previously served as principal at Apollo High School, reflected on his long-standing commitment to education in the district.
Recalling his time as Apollo’s principal, he shared how he coined the phrase “Always an Eagle” to foster unity at the school. Stewart and his wife later established a scholarship fund that has extended more than $33,000 to Apollo graduates, a gesture he described as “a labor of love.”
Stewart emphasized his dedication to the district and its students, saying, “I appreciate the invitation, and thank you for listening.”
Pippin presented himself as a candidate focused on future-forward ideas, representing a new generation of leadership.
“If you take a look at us all, you’re going to see that one of us is not like the other,” Pippin said.
He positioned himself as someone who understands the modern challenges families face. He noted that while society and technology have evolved, schools still operate in much the same way as they did decades ago. Pippin stressed the importance of expanding innovative programs, such as those offering college credit or real-world skills.
“We cannot stick to the status quo. We have to focus on the future,” he said. “I’m ready to bring this energy and fresh ideas to the school board to make sure our students are truly future-ready.”
Hicks focused on supporting teachers and improving student scores, expressing frustration with the current “culture of finger-pointing and excuses.” He emphasized his commitment to giving teachers the freedom to teach effectively and create positive learning environments.
“I’ve been part of this community as an Apollo graduate and have over 20 years of experience working within the school district,” Hicks said. “I have degrees in business, computer science, and accounting, and I believe we need to support our teachers to improve student scores. There’s too much finger-pointing and too many excuses, and I want to give our teachers the freedom to teach effectively.”
Daviess County Public Schools – 3rd District
Tammy McCubbins is the only candidate whose named will appear on the ballot of the 3rd district. Dianne Burns Mackey is an official write-in candidate.
Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education
OPS School Board candidates compete for at-large seats. Five candidates are running for the three seats up for grabs this year: Melissa Akemi Decker, Tyler Sagardoy, Leigh Rhoads Doyal, Jeremy Edge, and Kenny Riley. Voters can select up to three candidates on the ballot.
Decker, an incumbent with eight years of experience on the OPS board, shared her personal investment in the district.
“My husband Tony and I moved here back in 2002 and started funneling our four children through Owensboro Public Schools,” Decker said, describing her involvement in PTOs and site-based decision-making councils.
“I’m very proud of our public schools,” she said, emphasizing the importance of balancing academics with arts and athletics. Decker aims to continue supporting students and teachers alike, noting that her role on the board has been “one of the most fulfilling positions I’ve ever held.”
Sagardoy quoted Victor Hugo, saying, “He who opens a school door closes a prison,” as he underscored the essential role of public education in building a healthy community.
Sagardoy, an Apollo graduate with a career in business, shared his personal success story to highlight the opportunities he hopes to provide students. He advocated for strong safety measures, supporting extracurricular activities, and accountability in board operations.
“Help me make a stronger, better Owensboro Public School system by voting Tyler Sagardoy this November,” he concluded.
Rhoads Doyal, seeking re-election, highlighted her unique perspective as a parent with three children in the OPS system. She expressed gratitude for the quality of OPS teachers, noting that her family’s experience “really keeps us busy.”
During her term, Doyal said the board has navigated significant challenges while working to improve facilities, enhance safety, and expand mental health resources.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” she said, urging community members to support her continued efforts.
Edge has also served on the OPS board for 8 years.
“I’m committed to the continue progress of our system,” he said. “I want to serve as a voice for our parents and families. On the time I’ve been on the board, quality education in a safe environment has been the number one priority.”
Edge pointed to increased funding for instruction, increased teacher pay, better testing scores, and upgrades to school facilities as accomplishment under his tenure as a board member. He noted that the upgrades have come while the board kept tax rates stable, and said this year they’re going to lower tax rates one more time.
“I want to give back and help when called upon,” Edge said. “I want to continue the progress we can all make together.”
Riley began his speech by thanking God and stressing his commitment to community and school safety.
“Our schools are the heart of our community, and I’m committed to ensuring they are safe, provide quality education, and foster open communication,” Riley said.
He emphasized his dedication to an open-door policy and responsiveness to concerns from parents, teachers, and students. Riley’s platform prioritizes safety, quality education, and open communication, which he believes are essential for a successful educational environment.
State Representative – 14th Representative District
Incumbent State Rep. Scott Lewis, a Republican, spoke about his ongoing commitment to public education, small business, and law enforcement support. A retired school superintendent, Lewis cited his work in securing a $15,000 raise for Kentucky state troopers to address recruitment challenges.
“I’m a big supporter of law enforcement, public education, lowering the tax rate,” he said.
Lewis also mentioned his experience as a small business owner and emphasized his dedication to reducing regulations for small businesses.
His opponent, Chanda Garner, a Democrat, did not attend the event, and no statement was provided on her behalf.
Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors
Five candidates are vying for four seats as Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors: Kent Moore, Ray Wright, Jamie Wright, Ryan Trunnell, and Aaron Walker. Voters can select up the four candidates.
Owensboro Mayor and City Commission
Candidates for Owensboro City Commission and Mayor discussed their views on the top issues facing the community during the 2024 Owensboro Times General Election Town Hall on Thursday.
Mayoral candidates are Tom Watson and Pamela L. Smith-Wright. To watch the Mayoral segment, click here.
City Commission candidates on the ballot are Rafe Buckner, Tyler L. Goad, Jeff Sanford, Sharon G. NeSmith, Bob Glenn, Curtis Maglinger, and Robert Morris. Official write-in candidates are Jim Ivey and Titus Willis. To watch the City Commissioner segment, click here.
Voting Centers
On Election Day, November 5, voters are able to vote at any of the below 14 polling locations. As in recent years, precincts are no longer used for voting in Daviess County. Voting centers will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Owensboro Sportscenter
1215 Hickman Avenue, Owensboro - H.L. Neblett Community Center – Gym
801 W 5th Street, Owensboro - Owensboro Christian Church – Entrance E
2818 New Hartford Road, Owensboro - Third Baptist Church – Gym
527 Allen Street, Owensboro - Daviess County Middle School – Cafeteria
3901 Fairview Drive, Owensboro - Audubon Elementary School – Gym
300 Worthington Road, Owensboro - DCPS (Former US Bank Building) – Southtown Blvd. Entrance
4801 Frederica Street - Yellow Creek Baptist Church – Gym
5741 Highway 144, Thruston - St. Martin’s Parish Hall
5856 Highway 81, Rome - Abundant Life Church
6601 US 231, Masonville - St. Mary Magdalene Parish Hall
7232 Highway 56, Sorgho - Whitesville Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall
10167 Highway 54, Whitesville - Mary Carrico Catholic School – Gym
9546 Highway 144, Knottsville - St. Anthony Parish Hall
261 Saint Anthony Road, Utica
