An anti-incumbent wave in Northern Kentucky’s Republican primary not only swept out a congressman but also swept through county races.
For the first time this century, two counties will get new judge/executives, the top official who leads the county government.
Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore lost their reelection bids. They both took office in 1999.
Moore lost to Republican county commissioner Chet Hand, 52% to 48%.
Pendery lost to Andy Schabell, the 47-year-old mayor of Alexandria, a town of 10,000. The margin was 183 votes, 51% to 49%.
‘Taking down a 28-year incumbent was a mighty task’
Schabell on election night said he knew he could win despite the long odds.
“Taking down a 28-year incumbent was a mighty task,” Schabell told The Enquirer. “But I would have never ran if I didn’t think we could do it.”
Hand said his victory showed people were dissatisfied with the direction of local government.
“You cannot be comfortable in mediocrity,” Hand told The Enquirer after his victory. “You cannot be comfortable in stagnation. There has to be a level of continuous improvement.”
Pendery congratulates opponent
Moore did not respond to messages seeking comment. Pendery, when reached by The Enquirer by phone, said he planned to congratulate Schabell. He didn’t want to speculate on why incumbents had a hard time in the election or whether Trump or the congressional race played a factor. He said that doesn’t matter.
“I ran a good race and it was fairly contested and I’m happy with my effort,” Pendery said.
Was Trump responsible for the local races?
Both Hand and Schabell said their victories weren’t about MAGA or Trump. They said they ran on local issues.
“People lump a lot into that MAGA term,” Hand said. “Our campaign was very specifically focused on Boone County and putting Boone County first.”
Hand said the election’s results were a continuation of the Boone County election four years ago. In 2022, Hand won a seat on Boone County Fiscal Court as part of a MAGA-style movement that swept through the county party and ousted several longtime lawmakers. Hand has been linked to the the liberty movement, which University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss has described as “an uncomfortable blend of hard-right conservatism and Libertarian-oriented Republicanism.”
Hand has rejected the liberty movement label, saying he first ran for local office as a way to fight what he saw as too many regulations. He’s opposed the county’s dog-licensure requirements, government funding for electric vehicle charging stations and other measures he believes the government should not be involved in.
New judge/executive says people don’t want longtime office holders
The primary’s results were more about people making a career out of politics, Schabell said.
“People are tired of lifelong politicians,” Schabell said.
Schabell said he set an eight-year limit as Alexandria’s mayor, a milestone he’s reached this year. What limit will he set as judge/executive? He wouldn’t say.
“It won’t be 28 years,” Schabell said. “I’ll promise you that.”
The judge/executives were not the only incumbents who either got ousted or are in races too close to call.
Kenton County will have a new sheriff in town
Former Kenton County Police captain Larry Shelton ousted appointed Sheriff Jude Hehman, 60% to 40% in a contentious Republican primary where both candidates hurled insults and accusations at each other.
Shelton will face the Democrat, former Newport Police Chief Tom Collins, in the general election. In a heavily Republican county, Shelton will be seen as the favorite.
State rep losing in close race
State Rep. Kim Banta, a Republican from Fort Mitchell, was losing by 13 votes out of more than 4,800 cast. Banta represents the Kentucky House’s 63rd District, which covers portions of northern Boone and Kenton counties.
Her opponent in the primary, Cole Cuzick had 2,220 votes to Banta’s 2,207. A third Republican opponent, Seth Winslow Young, had 435 votes. This was the first primary challenger Banta has faced since being elected to the state House in 2019.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: For first time this century, two NKY counties will get new judge/execs
Reporting by Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
