With the filing deadline this Friday, a growing slate of candidates is seeking key Caldwell County offices—including judge-executive, jailer, and District 4 magistrate—in the upcoming 2026 Primary Election.
Chris Noel filed his paperwork on Monday, Jan. 5th, to run for judge-executive. With 29 years dedicated to public service—26 of those right here in Caldwell County—Noel has served over two decades with local law enforcement at the Princeton Police Department and Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, serving as deputy, detective, chief deputy, and was appointed sheriff before retiring.
In addition, Noel served as the director of the local Dispatch for over six years, and been a member of several local boards, as well as a state board.
Noel says he decided to run for judge-executive because Caldwell County is his home, as well as the home of his friends, family, and loved ones. Noel also believes that having experience is essential when entrusted with the responsibility of leading the county.
click to download audioIn the Republican Primary, Noel will face current District 4 Magistrate Jeff Simms, who filed to run for judge-executive on Dec. 16th, after Kota Young announced he would not seek another term.
William Lee “Billy” Baker filed on Tuesday, Jan. 6th, to run as a Republican for Caldwell County Jailer. Baker is a veteran and retired as a captain with the Kentucky Department of Corrections with 25 years of experience. He will compete in the Republican Primary against Jail Administrator Angela Cotton, who filed on Nov. 5th. Republican candidate Zakkary Taylor Eubanks, who filed on Dec. 9th, has withdrawn from the jailer’s race.
Randy Jordan filed his paperwork on Dec. 22 to run as a Republican in the District 4 magistrate race. Jordan worked at the Princeton Electric Plant Board for several years until his retirement. He is an electrician and has served the community in many aspects.
Jordan says he is running to help ensure the county continues to move forward.
click to download audioGeorge Kilgore filed on Tuesday, Jan. 6th, to run for the District 4 magistrate seat. Kilgore retired from Caldwell County Public Schools after 27 years as a school bus driver, then drove charter buses for 11 years before retiring at age 62.
Kilgore previously served 17 years as a magistrate on the Caldwell County Fiscal Court and says he is running for the seat because he has the experience and wants to continue serving the community.
The Republican Primary for the District 4 magistrate seat also includes Matthew Lane, who filed on Dec. 18th. In a social media post on his campaign page, Lane says he grew up in Trigg County and moved to Caldwell County 13 years ago after marrying his wife, Amber Cook, and began farming with his in-laws. He says Princeton has become his home, and he cares deeply about the community.
According to Lane, his faith and family are his top priorities, and as a Christian, he felt called to run for the office. As a parent, Lane says he wants to help ensure a bright future for his children and believes serving as a magistrate is a way to help shape the county’s future.
The deadline for candidates to file for the 2026 Primary Election is 4:00 p.m. this Friday.
