HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With several key decisions made during Christian County’s primary election, less than 8,000 ballots were cast as around 16% of registered voters participated. As the excitement of the primary has receded, officials have provided statements reacting to the results.

The State Board of Elections provided statistics leading up to the 2026 primary that reflects registered voters through April 24 as compared to the population of Hopkinsville-Christian County.

  • 7,271 ballots cast.
  • 45,801 registered voters in Christian County.
    • 19,767 registered democrats.
    • 19,662 registered republicans.
  • Population of Christian County: Around 71,000 people
  • Population of Hopkinsville: Around 30,600 people

Kentucky primaries are “closed” elections, meaning voters were only able to cast a ballot for their registered party. The PVA and sheriff candidates were all republican, meaning that anyone registered for another political party was unable to participate in choosing who would be elected.

| RELATED STORY: 4 first term councilmembers voted out as primary reshapes Hopkinsville leadership

Mayor Knight makes statement after results

With three republican mayoral candidates, non-republican voters were excluded from deciding whether the current Mayor of Hopkinsville stays in office. Christian County Magistrate Russ Guffey ended up getting the nomination with 53.20% of the votes over current Mayor James R. Knight who received 44.79% of the votes. The third republican candidate, former councilmember Natasha Francis had the remaining 2.01%.

“Over the last 3.5 years, it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as your mayor,” said Mayor Knight in a statement. “While Tuesday’s outcome was not what we hoped for, we are thankful for the opportunity to continue serving as your mayor over the next seven months and continue growing home while helping move Hopkinsville forward…this is not the end of the road!”

Knight also expressed his accomplishments as mayor, including more than $400 million in economic investment, announcing over 1,600 jobs, and opening the city’s first new fire station in over 20 years.

Just under 200 votes separated Guffey from Knight, who ultimately conceded. Knight has served as mayor of Hopkinsville since December 2022 and will continue to serve until a new mayor is sworn in after the general election in November.

| RELATED STORY: Guffey shares first thoughts, plans for huge announcement after defeating Mayor Knight in primary

Sheriff DeArmond re-elected

Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond was re-elected after receiving 88.58% of the votes over his opponent. In a public statement after the election he said in part, “As I reflect on this journey, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for every person who has supported me. I am thankful to be chosen to continue serving as your Sheriff.”

“Throughout this campaign, my family and I made it our goal to stay positive and represent Christian County the very best we could,” continued DeArmond. “Serving this community is truly an honor, and I look forward to continuing the work together.”

Going into the general election in November, all registered parties have the opportunity to vote. Within certain wards and districts for city council and fiscal court, there are several contested races. Magistrate Guffey also has two other opponents in November for mayor.

Additional nonpartisan races throughout the county will also be held which includes mayor and council seats for cities like Oak Grove, Crofton, Pembroke, and Lafayette.

| ELECTION RESULTS: Sheriff DeArmond re-elected, Guffey gets Hopkinsville mayor nomination