Will Paducah Voters Get to Elect a New Mayor?

The answer is a resounding YES.

Over the past several months, I’ve been asked an important question: What happens to the Mayor’s office if I am elected McCracken County Judge Executive?

Recently, my opponent posted information suggesting that there would not be an election for Mayor until 2028.

THAT IS NOT CORRECT!

I think Paducah voters deserve to know exactly what the process would be, so I want to explain it as simply as I can.

First, what happens to my current term?

I was elected Mayor in 2024 to a four-year term that began in January 2025 and runs through December 31, 2028.

If I am elected County Judge Executive, I would resign as Mayor before taking office as Judge Executive.

Kentucky law provides a process for filling that vacancy. Initially, the Paducah City Commission would appoint someone to serve as Mayor.

But that appointment would be temporary.

Because there would still be time remaining in my mayoral term, Kentucky law provides for an election to fill the remainder of that term.

That election would be held in 2027 — not 2028.

Why does the 160-day rule matter?

There is another important part of Kentucky law that I want people to understand.

Paducah’s city elections are nonpartisan. Under KRS 83A.165, if a vacancy occurs at least 160 days before the May primary, candidates seeking the office can be nominated through that primary process.

That is why, if I am elected Judge Executive, I intend to resign early enough to meet that 160-day requirement.

Why?

Because I want to maximize the opportunity for people who are interested in becoming Paducah’s next Mayor to file and run for the office — and I want Paducah voters to have as much opportunity as possible to participate in that decision.

If three or more candidates file for Mayor, voters would have a May 2027 nonpartisan primary to narrow the field to two candidates.

If only one or two candidates file, a primary would not be necessary.

Then, in November 2027, Paducah voters would elect the person who will serve the remainder of my current mayoral term.

So what does the timeline look like?

If I am elected County Judge Executive in November 2026, I would resign as Mayor early enough to meet the applicable 160-day requirement.

The City Commission would appoint someone to temporarily fill the Mayor’s office. This appointment could come from the current slate of commissioners or from someone else in the community.

If enough candidates file, there would be a May 2027 primary.

Then, in November 2027, Paducah voters would elect their Mayor.

That person would serve the remainder of the current term, which ends December 31, 2028.

And here is another important point:

If that person wants to continue serving as Mayor after 2028, they would have to run again in the regular 2028 mayoral election.

In other words, the person appointed Mayor would not simply inherit the office through the end of 2028 without facing the voters.

Why am I explaining this now?

Because elections should be based on accurate information.

I understand why people are asking this question. I am currently serving as Mayor, and if I am elected County Judge Executive, Paducah residents understandably want to know what happens next.

The answer is straightforward:

The City Commission would make a temporary appointment.

Paducah voters would have an election for Mayor in 2027.

And the regular election for the next full mayoral term would still take place in 2028.

I have always believed voters deserve a voice in their government. That principle doesn’t change simply because I am running for another office.

Paducah voters will have a voice in choosing who serves as their Mayor.

And I think it’s important that you know the facts.

– George Bray