WPKY hosted Decision 2022 political forums Thursday night that featured candidates running for Caldwell County District 1 magistrate, jailer, Princeton mayor, 8th District state representative, sheriff and county judge-executive.
The candidates running for the District 1 magistrate seat — incumbent Elbert Bennett and challenger Democrat Austin Knight — discussed why they are running for office, their qualifications to serve, and their priorities for Princeton and Caldwell County.
If elected, business owner Knight said county roads, saving tax money and being a strong voice to get things done are his three priorities, while Bennett said getting broadband, Wi-fi and internet service into rural areas, getting funding for county roads, and addressing the drug problem in the county are his priorities.
Another topic of discussion was how the county prepares for future growth, which Bennett believes will come with broadband and the ongoing improvements at the Princeton-Caldwell County Airport.
click to download audioKnight feels jobs, internet, and providing more things to do for the youth in our community.
click to download audioWhen it comes to what needs to be done to better recruit business and industry into the county and region, Knight said they need to go out and look for industries.
click to download audioBennett said they need to get students involved in trade school and they need a workforce to be able to fill jobs.
click to download audioThe candidates also discussed how they would help support agriculture in the county and help firefighters better serve local residents.
WPKY’s News Edge will have stories from each of the candidate forums in the coming days.
To hear the discussion in its entirety click on the audio below:
