The Ballot Brief
Shelby County, Kentucky

Shelby County Judge/Executive

See where Rothenburger stand on public safety, roads and growth. Names follow official Shelby County election filings.

About this race

Rob Rothenburger won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with 3,888 votes (51.10%) over Pat Hargadon (3,721, 48.90%), per the Shelby County Clerk's official cumulative primary results. No Democratic or independent candidate filed; Rothenburger is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 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 Shelby County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

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

Kentucky › Shelby County › Shelby County Judge/Executive

Rob Rothenburger

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Updating the county's comprehensive land use plan to manage growth while protecting farmland, per Sentinel-News
  • Improving the county's road system and ensuring adequate staffing and equipment for emergency services, per Sentinel-News
  • Expanding parks and recreation access, particularly for residents in the eastern part of the county, per Sentinel-News
Biography

Rob Rothenburger is a Republican candidate for Shelby County Judge Executive. Rothenburger previously served as Shelby County Judge Executive for 14 years and as a state representative for two terms, and also served as fire chief for the city of Shelbyville and holds a Kentucky paramedic license, according to the Sentinel-News. Rothenburger's campaign has focused on updating the county's land use plan, improving roads, supporting emergency services staffing, and expanding parks and recreation access, per the Sentinel-News. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotShelby County Attorney

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

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

One candidate is tracked for Shelby County Judge/Executive on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Rob Rothenburger. Candidate information follows official Shelby County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on public safety, roads and growth.

When is the Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County and state election office filings, last verified October 14, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Shelby County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Shelby County SheriffShelby County JailerShelby County CoronerSee all 27 Shelby County races
Candidate profiles
Rob Rothenburger, full profileOfficial Kentucky election office