41% of LaRue County votes

Voters of LaRue county flocked to the voting polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for the 2026 general election, and local, state and national results have been released.

Of the 11,732 registered voters in the county, 4,899, or 41.7% of voters, made their voices heard. Comparable to the statewide turnout, this is up 11.9% since the May 2026 primary and down 21.4% since the last general election in 2024.

Voters largely waited until Election Day to cast their vote, with 3,541 utilizing compared to 1,470 utilizing mail in, absentee and early voting options. The election results are as follows:

LaRue County Judge Executive

In a landslide victory, Republican incumbent Blake Durrett has won another four-year term. He received 3558 votes (74%), compared to Democrat Katy Cecil’s 1248 (25.9%).

“I want to thank everyone who voted for me or supported the campaign,” Durrett said. “I’m especially thankful for the kindness shown to me throughout my time as Judge Executive. Regardless of your vote, support, or kindness, I desire to meet the needs of all constituents as best I can. Let’s all live, work, play, and pray together these next four years.”

LaRue County Magistrate

Voters throughout the county saw elections for the District 1 and District 2 Magistrate seats for the LaRue County Fiscal Court on their ballots.

In District 1, Republican incumbent Darin Williams will retain his position. He received 707 votes compared to Democratic challenger Bryant Grant’s 322.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to talk with me during the campaign and welcomed me on their property. I’m very humbled to be re-elected as your Magistrate in District 1 and I will continue to work hard to represent District 1 and all of LaRue County for what is best for all LaRue Countians,” Williams said. “We have GREAT people in LaRue County and I’m proud to call LaRue County my home. Thank you for putting your trust in me.”

District 2 Republican incumbent Ricky Whitlock will also retain his position, garnering 811 votes to Democratic challenger Damon Barnes’ 543.

“I just want to say thank you,” Whitlock said. “Thank you for the support. Thank you for the votes and thank you for the opportunity to serve the people in district 2 for four more years.”

Dean Higdon was announced the District 3 winner after the May primary due to having no Democratic opposition. District 4 Magistrate Larry Howell ran unopposed in both elections.

Hodgenville Mayor

Incumbent Jim Phelps Jr. has been reelected to another four-year term as the Mayor of the City of Hodgenville. He garnered 476 votes as compared to challenger Tom Lewis’ 287.

“I appreciate the confidence that the City voters have shown in re-electing me,” Phelps said. “I have several projects that I’ve been working on and I’m glad I have the opportunity to finish them. Thank you to everyone that got out and voted.”

Hodgenville City Council

Hodgenville voters chose from a nine-candidate pool to decide who the next six members of the Hodgenville City Council will be. The pool was comprised of Rita T. Williams (454), Steven Johnson (323), Angela DeVore (368), Ruth Edlin (247), Jay Edlin (263), Larry Davis (296), Lisa Bell Reidner (378), Tony Stewart (509) and Ryan Jeffries (403).

The top six vote-getters were Stewart, Williams, Jeffries, Reidner, Johnson and DeVore. They will hold the position beginning in Jan. 2027 through Dec. 2028.

DeVore is the only person elected to the council who is not currently sitting on it. Her election will entail the removal of current Councilman Larry Davis, who has served in the role for over a decade.

“I'm grateful to everyone who cast a vote in my favor and humbled by their trust in me,” DeVore said. “I look forward to serving with fellow council members, Mayor Phelps, City staff, and other leaders throughout our community. I have big shoes to fill and wish long-serving Councilman, my friend Larry Davis the best.”

LaRue County Schools Board of Education

Voters throughout the county saw elections for District 3 and District 5 for the LaRue County Board of Education on their ballots.

Newcomer Denise Skaggs has won the bid for District 3, which represents Lincoln Farm and part of Buffalo. She received 623 votes compared to Michael Zahrndt’s 254.

“Thank you for electing me to the LaRue County School Board,” she said. “I am honored to serve the students, staff, and community in this role. Let’s work together to make our schools successful!”

Skaggs will replace Farrah Pruitt, who is retiring from the position after xx years of service.

District 5, which includes Otter, Mount Sherman and parts of Hodgenville, will remain represented by incumbent Joanna Hinton. She garnered 675 votes compared to her opponent Ryann Castro’s 258.

“I want to say thank you to the voters of District 5 for re-electing me to the LaRue County School Board. It is an honor to serve, and I look forward to seeing all the great things that can happen in our schools over the next four years,” Hinton said. “I also want to recognize Ryann for putting herself out there and running a strong campaign. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to put your name on the ballot, and I hope she will continue to look for ways to serve our community and our schools.”

District Court Judge

Incumbent Teresa McMahan-Miller defeated challenger David Perkins and won the bid for District Judge of the 10th Judicial District. She garnered 67% of LaRue County’s vote and 54% of Hart’s. Overall, she received 61% of the votes in the two-county district.

Noting her appreciation for the individuals who supported her up to and in the election, McMahan-Miller said, “Thank you to all the citizens of LaRue & Hart Counties for your support,” McMahan-Miller said. “I am thankful to continue to serve as your District Court Judge.”

Coroner

Democrat incumbent Todd Skaggs will retain his position as LaRue County Coroner. He received 2,716 as compared to Republican challenger Merle Edlin’s 2,103.

“I would like to thank everyone who voted for me, I appreciate your support,” Skaggs said. “I would also like to thank my family, friends and all the folks who encouraged me and for the ones who requested a campaign sign for their yard. It's been an honor to serve LaRue County these past 20 years, and I look forward to the next four years.”

District 24 State Representative

Republican Incumbent Ryan Bivens defeated Democrat John Pennington and won the bid for District 24 State Representative. He garnered 75% of LaRue County’s vote, 83% of Green’s and 70% of Hart’s. Overall, Bivens received 75% of the votes in the three-county district.

“Thank you to all the voters of Green, Hart and LaRue counties for putting your faith and confidence in me to continue to represent district 24 in Frankfort,” Bivens said. “We live in the best place in the world, and it is mainly because of the people!”

District 14 State Senator

Republican Ben Mudd won LaRue County’s vote for District 14 State Senator. In LaRue County, he received 3,543 votes compared to Democrat challenger Carrie Truitt’s 1,263. Mudd also led in the remainder of the five-county district, including garnering 59% of Marion County’s vote, 63% of Nelson’s, 72% of Spencer’s and 68% of Washington’s. Overall, he received 66% of the votes in the district.

“I am truly humbled and honored by the trust the voters of the 14th District have placed in me to serve as your next State Senator,” Mudd said. “Thank you to the voters for putting your faith in me. Whether you voted for me or not, I promise to work hard every day to represent you and make you proud.”

Mudd will be replacing Senator Jimmy Hogdon, who has served in the Senate for nearly two decades.

U.S. Representative

Republican incumbent Brett Guthrie will serve another two-year term as U.S. Representative after defeating Democrat Morgan Wingfield and Independent Thomas Loecken. He won the county with 74.9%, and the 20-county district with 63%.

Highlighting the accomplishments made by Republicans in Congress, Guthrie said, “Thank you to the voters of the Second District for your continued faith in me! I am honored to have your trust again to represent you in Washington, D.C.”

U.S. Senator

Republican Andy Barr has been elected to replace longtime U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell. Barr won LaRue County with 72%, compared to 26% for Democratic challenger Charles Booker and 3% for Kentucky Party’s Christopher Campbell. Overall, Barr won 55% of the state’s vote.

“Thank you, Kentucky!” he said. “God bless our great Commonwealth and God bless America. It is an honor to be your next U.S. Senator.”

Constitutional Amendment

Kentuckians saw one proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Amendment 1 asked whether residents were in favor of amending the state constitution to limit a Governor’s ability to grant pardons so they do not occur within 60 days prior to the general election that they are elected until after they are sworn in for that term.

In LaRue County, 75% of voters favored the proposed constitutional amendment. Comparably, 71% of the state also approved; this means that the constitutional will be amended to limit Governor pardons during their election years.

A full recap of the local votes cast for the election can be found on page A5 of today’s edition.

41% of LaRue County votes

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