2026 Kentucky General Election

James KAY

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## About James Kay

Professional Experience

Woodford County, Judge Executive (2019 - Present)

Small Business, Attorney (Present)

Kentucky State, State Representative (2013 - 2018)

Degrees

JD, University of Kentucky

Bachelor's, University of Kentucky, History and Political Science

James Kay | BallotReady

James Kay earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science and a law degree from the University of Kentucky.

## About James Kay

Professional Experience

Woodford County, Judge Executive (2019 - Present)

Small Business, Attorney (Present)

Kentucky State, State Representative (2013 - 2018)

James currently works as an attorney for a small business.

Kay represents House District 56, a seat he has held since 2013. His district includes all of Woodford County and parts of Fayette and Franklin counties. He did not return multiple requests for comment on Tuesday.

James Kay won't seek re-election; will run for Woodford County Judge-Executive

James currently serves as Woodford County judge executive, a role he has held since 2019. He previously served as a Kentucky state representative for House District 56 from 2013 to 2018.

James Kay won't seek re-election, will run for Woodford County ...

As of October 8, 2026, James KAY’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Budget

As county judge executive, supports permanently banning data centers to protect farmland and limit sprawl while allowing future reconsideration of regulations.

In a phone interview Thursday, Kay told the Lantern the fiscal court passed a permanent ban on data centers instead of a moratorium after hearing universal opposition from local residents. He said developers have not pitched any specific data center proposal within the county but that such developers are “looking at everywhere.”

“We’re going to do what we say, and what we say and what we want is to ban data centers. Not to put in regulations that hopefully they don’t try to find loopholes or try to come — we don’t want them,” Kay said.

A Kentucky county becomes first in state to permanently ban data center construction • Kentucky Lantern

He said the ban on data centers is a part of a larger, years-long effort by the county to try to preserve existing farmland in the county that’s the 14th smallest in the state by geographic area, but has some of its most valuable Thoroughbred horse farms.

“We wanted to get ahead of it in the spirit of knowing that the vast majority of people were against it,” Kay said. “We see the pressure on all of our productive farmland. And so we’re trying to protect that and preserve that and continue to protect against sprawl and urban growth as well.”

Kay said as data center technology advances, he hopes that the large operations can become more sustainable and less intrusive, mitigating any air pollution impacts and utilizing more renewable energy sources.

“I think the community can come back and look at changing its rules and regulations. Until then, the way that it currently stands, I believe that a lot of people feel that it’s somewhat exploitative,” Kay said.

Administration

Michael DUCKWORTH

- 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.