2026 Kentucky General Election

Kris Knochelmann is from Kenton County, Kentucky. He has a bachelor 27s degree in accounting from Xavier University. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children. They are parishioners at St. Joseph's in Crescent Springs.

Staff Directory • Kris Knochelmann - Kenton County

Kenton County gets new leader: Kris Knochelmann

Kris Knochelmann is originally from Kenton County, Kentucky. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Xavier University. Kris and his wife have three children and live in Covington, Kentucky. Kris and his wife are parishioners at St. Joseph's in Crescent Springs.

In NKY, GOP primaries are becoming the real election

LinkedIn

Kris co-owns Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing Heating Air, a home services company in Covington. He previously worked as general manager of Service Experts Heating and Air Conditioning and has worked in the plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry since he was 15 years old. He also serves as president of Oakland Properties.

Kris is currently the Kenton County judge-executive.

Kris currently serves as the Judge Executive of Kenton County, Kentucky. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his third term. He previously served as Kenton County Commissioner for District 3, serving two terms.


Supports allowing more input from Ohio interests and surrounding counties in the management of the airport amidst restructuring efforts.

He acknowledges the financial constraints of Kenton County while emphasizing the need to upgrade emergency communications systems to meet federal mandates.

Emphasizes the need to upgrade emergency communications systems to meet federal mandates.

Plans to relocate the county's main administrative offices to a new site, acknowledging potential challenges in securing funding for the project.

Supports improving the water and sewer system to address flooding and facilitate development in Kenton County.

Plans to privatize the county-owned golf course to eliminate financial losses.

- Supports allowing more input from Ohio interests and surrounding counties in the management of the airport amidst restructuring efforts.
- Emphasizes the need to upgrade emergency communications systems to meet federal mandates.
- Plans to relocate the county's main administrative offices to a new site, acknowledging potential challenges in securing funding for the project.
- Supports improving the water and sewer system to address flooding and facilitate development in Kenton County.
- Plans to privatize the county-owned golf course to eliminate financial losses.

Budget

Supports implementing online financial records so taxpayers can monitor expenditures, and plans to develop a 5-year plan to better evaluate county finances.

Supports investing in and implementing a tri-county digital radio system for first responders.

- Supports implementing online financial records so taxpayers can monitor expenditures, and plans to develop a 5-year plan to better evaluate county finances.
- Supports investing in and implementing a tri-county digital radio system for first responders.

Administration

Facebook

Kris A. Knochelmann

Buket Urgen

- The county judge-executive acts as the chief executive officer of your county government. They can appoint staff and fill office vacancies such as sheriff or county attorney.
- The county judge-executive prepares the county budget, oversees funds, and keeps fiscal records.
- The county judge-executive represents the county in discussions with other levels of government.
- The county judge/executive presides over and sits on the “fiscal court,” your county’s legislature. The fiscal court sets the budget for your county and passes laws. It is also responsible for county roads, jails, and social services. 
- The county judge/executive is elected to a four-year term in partisan elections. 
- The maximum annual salary for this position varies based on county size, ranging from approximately $85,000 to $154,400.

Chief executive officer of your county and head of its governing board.

Kenton County Judge Executive

Candidates (1)