Payne seeking election as Daviess District Court, Division 1 judge

J. Nick Payne earned a dual degree in economics and government from Centre College and a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is a married father.

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Nick has worked as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Kentucky's Sixth Judicial Circuit Commenwealth's Attorney Office since 2002.

J. Nick Payne's campaign for Kentucky District Court Judge, District 6 is his first entry into politics.

Payne making run for District Court seat | News - Messenger-Inquirer

Nick previously lost the 2022 race for the Kentucky's 6th District Judge – 3rd Division.

As of March 10, 2026, J. Nick Payne did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Serves on the St. Joseph Peace Mission Board, a role he’s held since 2019, and participates in church activities and youth sports.

- Serves on the St. Joseph Peace Mission Board, a role he’s held since 2019, and participates in church activities and youth sports.

Community Involvement

Ethics & Conduct

As a local attorney with over 15 years of experience in family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation, Payne is seeking election as a judge for Daviess District Court, Division 1.

Has over 15 years of experience in family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation.

- Has over 15 years of experience in family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation.

Legal Experience

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J. Nick Payne

As of March 10, 2026, J. Nick Payne’s website did not contain information on this issue.

I am raising my family in this community.

J. Nick Payne's campaign for Kentucky District Court judge, District 6, is his first time running for public office.

J. Nick Payne is from Owensboro, Kentucky. He has a bachelor 27s degree from Centre College and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. He is raising his family in Owensboro.

J. Nick Payne is an attorney. He has been a full-time, in-court attorney since graduating from law school. 

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Public defender Lelah Rogers announces run for Daviess District ...

Lelah Rogers is from California. She has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. She lives in Owensboro with her husband and five children.

Lelah currently works as an attorney for the Department of Public Advocacy. She previously worked as a paralegal.

Lelah's campaign for judge for Kentucky's 6th Judicial District is her first run for public office.

Believes "limited resources can leave individuals incarcerated longer than necessary simply because appropriate placements or services are unavailable."

- Believes "limited resources can leave individuals incarcerated longer than necessary simply because appropriate placements or services are unavailable."

Said "[a] district judge must listen carefully, apply the law consistently, and treat every person with dignity. Experience in the courtroom matters when making fair and informed decisions."

Said she "believes that accountability and compassion are both essential elements of the justice system."

Believes "many young people in the court system come from unstable family situations and, in some cases, remain in detention not because they have committed violent crimes, but because there are limited safe alternatives."

- Said "[a] district judge must listen carefully, apply the law consistently, and treat every person with dignity. Experience in the courtroom matters when making fair and informed decisions."
- Said she "believes that accountability and compassion are both essential elements of the justice system."
- Believes "many young people in the court system come from unstable family situations and, in some cases, remain in detention not because they have committed violent crimes, but because there are limited safe alternatives."

Has worked with local organizations to provide support and resources for those in need.

- Has worked with local organizations to provide support and resources for those in need.

As of March 10, 2026, Lelah Rogers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a public defender, advocated for clients' rights, researched legal precedents, and presented defense arguments in court.

Has worked as a public defender and trial attorney for nearly 20 years, "with extensive work in district criminal and traffic cases, juvenile court, and proceedings in circuit and family courts."

- As a public defender, advocated for clients' rights, researched legal precedents, and presented defense arguments in court.
- Has worked as a public defender and trial attorney for nearly 20 years, "with extensive work in district criminal and traffic cases, juvenile court, and proceedings in circuit and family courts."

Lelah Rogers

Lelah Rogers's campaign for Kentucky District Court Judge, District 6 is her first entry into politics.

Lelah's campaign for Daviess District Court judge, District 6, is her first time running for public office.

Zachary Mangels

Phillip J. Page earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University and a law degree from Florida Coastal University.

Phillip is an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in Kentucky. He previously worked as an Assistant County Attorney, as an attorney in private practice, and served in the U.S. Army for four years.

As of March 10, 2026, Phillip J. Page did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for the past six months, with further experience as an Assistant County Attorney for over two years, he reviews the charges individuals are arrested for, determines which cases and charges will be tried in court, drafts and files documents and warrants, prosecutes criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provides sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

For over 5 years, as an attorney at various law firms, he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- As an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for the past six months, with further experience as an Assistant County Attorney for over two years, he reviews the charges individuals are arrested for, determines which cases and charges will be tried in court, drafts and files documents and warrants, prosecutes criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provides sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.
- For over 5 years, as an attorney at various law firms, he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Phillip J. Page

As of March 10, 2026, Phillip J. Page’s website did not contain information on this issue.

W. Russell Duty is from Grundy, Virginia. He has a bachelor 27s degree in business administration from Berea College and a law degree from Washington and Lee University. He lives in Owensboro, Kentucky.

W. Russell Duty is from Grundy, Virginia. He has a bachelor s degree in business administration from Berea College and a law degree from Washington and Lee University. He lives in Owensboro, Kentucky.

Russell is an attorney. He previously served as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer in the U.S. Army. After leaving active duty, he became a staff attorney for the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Board. He later worked at the law firm of Sheffer-Hoffman, where he handled workers' compensation defense cases for employers and insurance companies. In 1998, he started his own law firm, where he has practiced a variety of law, including personal injury, workers' compensation, bankruptcy, social security, wills and estates, real estate, divorce, custody, criminal, and general litigation. He has also been an adjunct professor at Brescia College, teaching business law.

W. Russell Duty is currently a practicing attorney. He has previously served as a staff attorney for the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Board.

As of March 10, 2026, W. Russell Duty’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Emphasizes the importance of applying the law consistently and delivering sentences that fit the specific facts of the case and the seriousness of the offense.

- Emphasizes the importance of applying the law consistently and delivering sentences that fit the specific facts of the case and the seriousness of the offense.

Served as Membership Chair, Board Member, Vice-President, and President of the Owensboro Lions Club.

Recognized as Lion of the Year for 2002/2003 and named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions International in 2005.

Served as a past member of the Contact Club and Small Business Committee within the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

Is a graduate of the 2002 Grayson County Leadership Class.

- Served as Membership Chair, Board Member, Vice-President, and President of the Owensboro Lions Club.
- Recognized as Lion of the Year for 2002/2003 and named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions International in 2005.
- Served as a past member of the Contact Club and Small Business Committee within the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
- Is a graduate of the 2002 Grayson County Leadership Class.

Has been a staff attorney for the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board, representing employers and insurance companies in workers’ compensation proceedings.

- Has been a staff attorney for the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Board, representing employers and insurance companies in workers’ compensation proceedings.

W. Russell Duty

Russell is an attorney. He has his own law firm, where he has practiced a variety of law, including personal injury, workers' compensation, bankruptcy, social security, wills and estates, real estate, divorce, custody, criminal, and general litigation. He previously worked as a staff attorney for the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Board, where he drafted opinions in appellate cases. He also worked as an attorney for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) for four years. Before attending law school, he worked as a production worker in a plastics plant and as a laborer in a poultry processing plant.

Mauricio Mendez

Mattingly announces run for District Court judgeship | Local News

William C. Mattingly is from Owensboro. He has a bachelor's degree from Bellarmine University, a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law, and a master's degree in library science from the University of Kentucky. 

William Mattingly – Kentucky Wesleyan College

William previously worked as a staff attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Kentucky in the Daviess Circuit Court.

William's campaign for district court judge is his first run for public office. 

Plans to look at legal situations from a "decision-maker perspective," "not from an advocate perspective."

Aims to be able to communicate court decisions effectively so everyone involved can properly understand why the decision was made.

- Plans to look at legal situations from a "decision-maker perspective," "not from an advocate perspective."
- Aims to be able to communicate court decisions effectively so everyone involved can properly understand why the decision was made.

Believes the courts have an obligation to teach students about the law and to develop their interest in it.

- Believes the courts have an obligation to teach students about the law and to develop their interest in it.

Served as vice president of the Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association.

Served as vice president of the Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association and taught students about the law.

- Served as vice president of the Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association and taught students about the law.

As of March 10, 2026, William C. Mattingly did not have a website or any information online.

As a staff attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, reviews motions and briefs filed by counsel in civil and criminal cases, researches various legal issues, and drafts orders and opinions.

As a staff attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, reviewed motions and briefs filed by counsel in civil and criminal cases, researched various legal issues, and drafted orders and opinions.

- As a staff attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Kentucky, reviewed motions and briefs filed by counsel in civil and criminal cases, researched various legal issues, and drafted orders and opinions.

William C. Mattingly

As of March 10, 2026, William C. Mattingly’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Alejandra Gracias

- District court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases, as well as, small claims (involving $2,500 or less), landlord eviction cases, and cases related to domestic violence and abuse. 
- In Kentucky, there are 116 district court judges serving in 60 judicial districts.
- District court judges are elected for four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some judges are elected each year.
- District court judges earn ​$141,761 annually. 

Kentucky District Court Judge, District 6

Candidates (5)