Judge-executive leadership change
In the May 2026 primary, incumbent Boone County Judge-Executive Gary W. Moore — holder of the county's highest elected office — lost the Republican primary to challenger Chet Hand, 52% to 48%. Moore was one of 18 incumbent judge-executives across Kentucky defeated in an unusually turbulent cycle that also featured contentious races for Northern Kentucky's 4th Congressional District and the U.S. Senate seat of Mitch McConnell, leaving Boone County voters to weigh what kind of leadership they want next.
What kind of leadership should Boone County voters choose after the incumbent judge-executive's primary defeat?
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Sources
Kentucky Lantern — https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/05/20/unusually-high-number-of-county-judge-executives-lost-primary-elections-across-kentucky
Boone County — GOP Primary: Chet HAND REP 10,264 52% ... Gary W. MOORE REP 9,321 48% ... In all, 18 incumbent judge-executives lost in primary elections in both Democratic and Republican primaries.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Choose new county leaders who will move Boone County policy in a more progressive direction.
- Favor new leaders with fresh ideas who are willing to work across party lines.
- Judge candidates on competence and experience rather than whether they are insiders or outsiders.
- Prefer experienced leaders who will keep Boone County on its current conservative course.
- Elect anti-establishment conservatives who will shrink county government and cut taxes.