2026 Kentucky General Election

Joe Pat COVINGTON

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Joe Pat Covington, a 1986 Scott County High School graduate, grew up in Scott County and attended Georgetown College where he majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry, Political Science, and Secondary Education. He later completed his first Master’s Degree in Education at Georgetown College and earned his second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Kentucky University. Joe is a former Georgetown Optimist Club Outstanding Youth Winner . A 2017 graduate of the Leadership Institute for School Principals from the nationally endorsed Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North Carolina. Joe Pat resides in Scott County with his wife of 29 years, Veronica Morris Covington, and his three sons Jacob, Caleb, and Isaiah. They have been members of Southland Christian Church since 1994.

About | Joe Pat for Judge Executive

Joe Pat Covington grew up in Scott County. He completed a master's degree in education at Georgetown College and a master's degree in educational leadership from Eastern Kentucky University. He lives with his wife, Veronica Morris Covington, and their three sons, and they have been members of Southland Christian Church since 1994.

A Qualified Candidate

Serving for 27 years as a public educator, Joe Pat has worked at both Tates Creek High School and Scott County High School as a teacher. In 2007 Joe Pat returned to Scott County High School as an Assistant Principal. From 2015-2018 Joe Pat served as the Principal of Scott County High, one of the largest high schools in Kentucky.

Joe Pat Covington most recently worked as principal of Scott County High School. He previously worked as an assistant principal at Scott County High School and as a teacher at Scott County High School and Tates Creek High School.

Meet Joe Pat Covington

It has been an honor to serve as Judge Executive since January 2019. Proven leadership is vital to running a county government. A progressive vision for the future, fiscal management, effective budgeting, and a communicative partnership with all stakeholders are priorities.

Fiscal Court Meetings
1st Friday at 9:00 AM (work session)
2nd Friday at 9:00 AM
4th Thursday at 7:00 PM

Served as Judge/Executive since 2019

Party Affiliation: Republican

Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association directory

Joe Pat has served as judge executive since January 2019.

Scott County Judge/Executive

EXPAND BROADBAND ACCESS IN RURAL SCOTT COUNTY

October 2021, the Fiscal Court signed an agreement with Charter Spectrum to expand access to High-Speed Broadband to over 5,351 homes in rural Scott County. A $21 million project with Charter contributing $18 million and the Scott County Fiscal Court winning a $3.1 million Federal grant from the NTIA to cover the rest of the costs. ZERO SCOTT COUNTY GENERAL FUND DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT.

Goals | Joe Pat for Judge Executive

INVEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety and services have been a primary focus. Our investment in public safety and roads has been a priority with an intent to match the growth of our community. Staffing has been added at the Sheriff’s Office, County Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and the Road Department. A Capital Projects Plan was developed with input from County Department Leadership, the public, and the Fiscal Court.

Funding for much needed equipment including:

Sheriff’s Office: Patrol vehicles and body camera equipment.
Fire Department: Heavy rescue truck, a pump engine and ladder truck, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Emergency Medical Services: Two new ambulances and medical diagnostic equipment.
Road Department: Dump trucks, backhoe, brush truck and a commitment of over a million dollars a year for repaving county roads annually.

ACROSS THE BOARD REVIEW OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES PAY AND BENEFIT PACKAGE

Our most important resource in delivering services to the community is our staff. We added an experienced HR Director .We implemented a comprehensive compensation strategy that is market based. Every job description was reviewed and pay medians were created to make sure that our staff are receiving a competitive wage and benefits. Retaining and recruiting experienced staff has been and will continue to be a focus of the Court.

PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT Lanes Run Business Park

I have worked diligently to help create a local Strategic Economic Development Plan to help market Georgetown, Scott County, and the Lanes Run Business Park. This plan is being finalized and will be align with a Bluegrass Regional Economic Development Plan. These plans will address our local and regional brand, market our county and region to site selectors , develop sites for future business and industry.

Additionally

Successfully applied and was awarded a $1.6 million Federal TAP Grant to extend the Legacy Trail from the Horse Park into Scott County at the Lisle Road Soccer Complex/Lemons Mill Elementary area.

A concessions/bathroom building along with improvements to 4 fields have been made at the Lisle Road Soccer Complex.

As county judge executive, secured federal and private funding to expand high-speed broadband to more than 5,351 rural homes without using county general-fund dollars.

Expanded staffing at the sheriff's office, county fire department, emergency medical services, and road department as part of public-safety and road investments.

Funded equipment for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and road work, including a commitment of more than $1 million annually for county-road repaving.

Implemented a market-based county employee compensation strategy, reviewing job descriptions and median pay to support competitive wages and benefits.

Helped create a local economic-development plan to market Georgetown, Scott County, and Lanes Run Business Park and develop sites for future business and industry.

Secured a $1.6 million federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant to extend the Legacy Trail into Scott County.

- As county judge executive, secured federal and private funding to expand high-speed broadband to more than 5,351 rural homes without using county general-fund dollars.
- Expanded staffing at the sheriff's office, county fire department, emergency medical services, and road department as part of public-safety and road investments.
- Funded equipment for law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and road work, including a commitment of more than $1 million annually for county-road repaving.
- Implemented a market-based county employee compensation strategy, reviewing job descriptions and median pay to support competitive wages and benefits.
- Helped create a local economic-development plan to market Georgetown, Scott County, and Lanes Run Business Park and develop sites for future business and industry.
- Secured a $1.6 million federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant to extend the Legacy Trail into Scott County.

Budget

Public safety and services have been a primary focus. Our investment in public safety and roads has been a priority with an intent to match the growth of our community. Staffing has been added at the Sheriff’s Office, County Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and the Road Department. A Capital Projects Plan was developed with input from County Department Leadership, the public, and the Fiscal Court.

Based on the Capital Projects Plan, the Fiscal Court with the Leadership of Judge Covington have committed to moving forward with plans to build a New Sheriff’s Office/County Clerk’s Satellite Office and a new EMS Station off Lexus Way.

A concessions/bathroom building along with improvements to 4 fields have been made at the Lisle Road Soccer Complex.

I also want to point out that the Fiscal Court and I successfully navigated a very difficult situation surrounding the Central Kentucky Landfill by amending our solid waste management plan. The landfill had a long list of compliance issues and had reached capacity under the previous plan. We continue to work diligently with the State to do all we can to assure a proper and timely closure.

Scott County Judge Executive Joe Pat Covington said, “Today’s groundbreaking at the Triple Crown Regional Business Park represents far more than the start of a new development — it is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when communities across Central Kentucky work together toward a shared vision for economic growth and opportunity. This regional partnership reflects our commitment to creating new jobs, attracting investment, and building a stronger future for families throughout our region. Our commuter patterns clearly demonstrate that we already function as a regional economy, and working together across county and city lines is the most effective way to create lasting opportunities for our citizens. By joining together, we are sending a clear message that Central Kentucky is prepared to compete, grow, and welcome the industries and careers of tomorrow.”

Officials from 3 counties break ground at regional industrial park

Developed a capital-projects plan with input from county department leaders, the public, and the fiscal court.

Committed, with the fiscal court, to building a sheriff's office and county clerk satellite office and an emergency medical services station off Lexus Way.

Amended the county solid-waste management plan and continues to work with the state on closure of the Central Kentucky Landfill.

Advocates for regional cooperation to attract investment, create jobs, and prepare Central Kentucky to compete for future industries.

- Developed a capital-projects plan with input from county department leaders, the public, and the fiscal court.
- Committed, with the fiscal court, to building a sheriff's office and county clerk satellite office and an emergency medical services station off Lexus Way.
- Amended the county solid-waste management plan and continues to work with the state on closure of the Central Kentucky Landfill.
- Advocates for regional cooperation to attract investment, create jobs, and prepare Central Kentucky to compete for future industries.

Administration

- 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.