Daviess County, Kentucky

Daviess County Judge/Executive

See where Castlen and Kuegel stand on public safety, growth and jobs. Names follow official Daviess County election filings.

About this race

Charlie Castlen won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary over Commissioner Janie Marksberry, 4,820 to 3,186 votes (60.2% to 39.8%), per the Owensboro Times unofficial results. He meets Democratic nominee Rod Kuegel Jr., who had no primary opponent, on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. Every voter in Daviess County votes on this seat.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Kentucky › Daviess County › Daviess County Judge/Executive

Charlie Castlen

Republican

Biography

Charlie Castlen is the sitting Daviess County judge/executive. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

William Rod Kuegel Jr.

Democratic

Top priorities

From other published sources

Improve cooperation between city and county government on economic development and business recruitment, per Owensboro Times candidacy announcement
Public safety, basic services and fiscal responsibility, per Owensboro Times candidacy announcement

Biography

Rod Kuegel is a fourth-generation Daviess County farmer who has run Kuegel Farms for more than 50 years, raising grain and cattle and operating a custom meat-processing business, per the Owensboro Times. He holds an accounting degree from the University of Kentucky and has chaired the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. board and the Owensboro Riverport Board of Directors. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Daviess County Judge/Executive in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Daviess County Judge/Executive on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charlie Castlen and William Rod Kuegel Jr.. Candidate information follows official Daviess County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on public safety, growth and jobs.

When is the Daviess County Judge/Executive election in Kentucky?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Kentucky are on the Kentucky election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Daviess County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Daviess County and state election office filings, last verified October 15, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Kentucky election office, or see the full Daviess County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Daviess County ballot

31 tracked races in Daviess County, Kentucky. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Daviess County Sheriff Daviess County Attorney Daviess County Jailer See all 31 Daviess County races

Candidate profiles

Charlie Castlen, full profile William Rod Kuegel Jr., full profile Official Kentucky election office