George Bray Officially Qualifies as IndependentCandidate for McCracken County Judge Executive
It is official: George Bray has secured the signatures required to qualify as an Independent candidate for McCracken County Judge Executive in the November General Election.
Bray will face Republican candidate Craig Clymer in November and says his decision to run as an Independent was driven by one simple principle: every registered voter deserves a voice in selecting the county’s next leader.
“I did not choose to run as an Independent to avoid opponents in the May Primary,” Bray said. “I chose this path because this critical leadership position should be decided in the November General Election when all registered voters in McCracken County have the opportunity to participate.”
“Without an Independent candidate in this race, the decision this year would have been made in May by less than 10% of McCracken County’s *59,695 registered voters,” Bray said. “I believe this important leadership decision should include the broadest possible participation from McCracken County voters. Every registered voter deserves the opportunity to have a voice in choosing their next Judge Executive.”
Bray said his campaign will focus on open conversations with the community about his leadership style and how it can unlock thoughtful growth, his vision for the future, and the importance of leadership that serves the entire county.
“This campaign is about making sure every voice is heard,” Bray said. “As Mayor, I have worked to serve everyone — inside the Paducah city limits and throughout McCracken County — and I will continue that same approach as Judge Executive.”
Bray emphasized that leadership should be determined in a general election, not predetermined months earlier through a primary election.
“This is about ensuring that leadership is in place to guide us through the growth of McCracken County,” he said. “Leadership should be decided by all of the people — not by a limited number of voters in a primary election.”
Campaign Focus
Leadership that listens to all voices
Transparency and accountability in government
Responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources
Solutions that reflect the needs of the entire community
About George Bray
George Bray was first elected Paducah’s 40th Mayor in November 2020 and was reelected to his second term in November 2024. He has committed himself to economic development and job growth for Paducah and McCracken County. He has helped lead the vigorous recruitment of new businesses at the triple rail site and the Paducah Department of Energy site which has opened exciting opportunities for nuclear energy. In addition, he has supported small business growth and the enablement of entrepreneurs in the broader community. Mayor George Bray has led by driving transparency in the workings of government while utilizing financial resources wisely and diligently.
Mayor Bray is an experienced businessman with undergraduate and graduate degrees in business and more than 40 years of experience leading and working with people of all walks of life. Mayor Bray grew up in Paducah and after graduating from St. Mary High School, he earned a degree in Marketing and Business Management from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and later earned an MBA from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.
