Important decisions will be made during the 2026 General Election this coming Tuesday as Adair County voters choose local leaders, consider a proposed constitutional amendment and prepare for changes to voter identification requirements.
Republican Chris Reeder, Democrat Todd Davenport and write-in candidate Bridget Compton are vying for Adair County judge-executive, the chief executive of county government. Current County Judge-Executive Larry Russell Bryant was defeated in the primary.
Columbia residents will choose six members of the City Council from among eight candidates: Andrea Burke, Craig Dean, Charles Grimsley, Beverly Loy, Sharon Payne, Hannah Peck, Ronald “Butch” Rogers and Richard L. Swartz.
Mark Harris also appears on the ballot but has withdrawn from the race. Votes cast for Harris will not be counted.
In the Third Magisterial District, which includes East Columbia and Ozark, Republican Todd Smith and Democrat Jimmy Bennett are seeking the magistrate seat.
The race for Adair County Board of Education member in the First Educational district features incumbent Terry Harvey and Cassie Burns. The school board race is nonpartisan.
On the national level, voters will choose between Republican Andy Barr, Democrat Charles Booker and Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell for U.S. Senate.
Incumbent Republican James R. Comer and Democrat John “Drew” Williams are seeking the U.S. House seat for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District.
All other offices on the ballot are unopposed.
By Amy Pike
amy@adairvoice.com
