After months of campaigning and anticipation, 47% of the registered voters in Caldwell County cast ballots in the 2022 General Election held Tuesday.
Republican Dakota “Kota” Young defeated his Democratic opponent after receiving 80% (3,748) of the votes compared to Phillip Sisk’s 20% (940). Young steps into the county seat after serving as mayor of the City of Princeton.
After hearing the results, Young expressed his gratitude to current Judge-Executive Larry Curling for his service over the years and for being an “incredible” partner with the City of Princeton. He also thanked the voters for entrusting him to serve as judge-executive.
click to download audioAnd he spoke highly of his challenger for the seat and Sisk’s devotion to this community.
click to download audio
When Sisk conceded the race, he congratulated Young and thanked everyone for their support.
click to download audioWith 40-years of law enforcement experience, Republican Don Weedman will be the new Caldwell County Sheriff easily defeating former Jailer Democrat Jon Pettit. Weedman received 72% (3,367) of the votes compared to Pettit’s 28% (1,301).
Weedman first thanked the voters for having the confidence in him to represent them as the sheriff of the county. He also said there are a lot of things that he will be looking at when he officially takes office.
click to download audioThe new Caldwell County Jailer is Republican William H. Harper. He received 70% (3,237) of the votes and his challenger current deputy jailer Democrat Cheryl Pettit received 30% (1,384) of the votes.
The longest-serving magistrate in the county, Republican Elbert Bennett, was elected to his 7th term and will serve another 4-years on Caldwell County Fiscal Court. Bennett received 58% (611) of the votes cast compared to 42% (446) received by his opponent Democrat Austin Knight.
Republican Joshua Tad Phelps received 74% (751) of the votes compared to Democrat Geroge William Hodge who received 26% (263) votes for the District 1 constable seat.
The following candidates on the ballot were unopposed in the General Election and will fill the following seats for another 4-year term:
– Democrat Ronald Wood as Property Valuation Administrator
– Republican Roy Massey IV as County Attorney
– Republican Jennifer Watson Hale as County Clerk who is the daughter of retiring County Clerk Toni Watson.
– Republican Dewayne Trafford as Caldwell County Coroner
– Republican Rick Tosh as County Surveyor
– Republican Jeff Boone as District 2 magistrate
– Republican Brian Hicks as District 2 constable
– Republican Brent Stallins as 3rd District magistrate
– Republican Brady D. Brooks as 3rd District constable
– Republican Jeff Simms as District 4 magistrate
– Republican Adam Cruzen as District 4 constable
– Timothy P. Kennaday as 2nd Educational District member of the board of education
– M. “Kim” Cook as 3rd Educational District member of the board of education
In addition to the county races, there were two write-candidates for the 56th Judicial District 2nd Division District Judge race with Matt Schalk defeating Jennifer Nelson with 944 unofficial votes to 638.
Republican Walker Thomas will serve another term as 8th District State Representative after he carried Caldwell County with 75% (3,458) of the votes compared to 25% (1,171) of the votes cast for his challenger Democrat Pam Dossett.
Republican Rand Paul also carried the county with 76% (3,508) of the votes compared to Democrat Charles Booker’s 24% (1,104).
And Republican James R. Comer easily defeated his opponent Democrat Jimmy Ausbrooks after receiving 80% (3,727) of the votes compared to Ausbrooks’ 20% (934).
All results for the candidates are unofficial until confirmed by the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.
WPKY 103.3 FM and 1580 AM provided complete live coverage of the results of the General Election from the Caldwell County Courthouse.
