Who’s running in 2026 primary: Hopkinsville Mayor Knight faces 3 challengers

Find a full list of candidates for the upcoming May 2026 Primary Election in Hopkinsville-Christian County.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – City and county seats are up for grabs during this year’s primary election in Hopkinsville and Christian County. Potential candidates had until 4 p.m. on Jan. 9 to file for candidacy ahead of the May 2026 election.

Final filings reveal Mayor J.R. Knight running for re-election against three other candidates, while Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam is unopposed. Sheriff Tyler DeArmond is also seeking re-election, going up against Erik Pacheco at the polls.

The majority of city council seats face opposition, as well as fiscal court. A total of eight candidates have filed for Christian County Constable while current Jailer Adam Smith also goes unopposed.

Find a full list of candidates below as of Jan. 9. This article will be updated if new candidates are filed.

Hopkinsville Mayor

James R. Knight, R
Russ Guffey, R
Natasha Francis, R
Markeeta Oldham Wilkerson, D

Christian County Judge Executive

Jerry Gilliam, R

Christian County Sheriff

Tyler DeArmond, R
Erik Pacheco, R

Jailer

Adam Smith, R

Hopkinsville City Council

Vance Smith, R – Ward 1
Chance Andrew Tatum, R – Ward 1
Sharon E. Manning, D – Ward 1

Adrian J. Bruce, R – Ward 2

Donald Marsh, R – Ward 3
Brandi Stallons, R – Ward 3

Terry Parker, R – Ward 4

Carolyn Marie Hughes, D -Ward 5
Anna Norris, R – Ward 5

Travis Martin, R – Ward 6

Clayton Sumner, R – Ward 7

Stephen Crisp, R – Ward 8
Tiffany Pittman, D – Ward 8

Ardell Glenn Owens, D – Ward 9
Duane Shepard, D – Ward 9
Brittanie Bogard, R – Ward 9
Jamie Lynn Lienberger, R – Ward 9
Monika Love, D – Ward 9

Michael Velez, R – Ward 10
Steve Keel, R -Ward 10
Angelita O. Atkins, D -Ward 10

Andrea Santos Rickard, D –Ward 11
Jason Bell, R – Ward 11

Elizabeth Draude, R, – Ward 12

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Christian County Magistrate

Magaline Ferguson, D – 1st District

Josh Turner, R – 2nd District

Tana Loden, R – 3rd District
Faith Watkins, D – 3rd District
George Barnett, R – 3rd District

J.E. Pryor, R – 4th District

Austin Crawford, R – 5th District
Virginia Hurt-Erxleben, R – 5th District
Jonathan Zordel, R – 5th District
James Smith, D – 5th District

Phillip Peterson, R – 6th District

Todd Morris, R – 7th District
John Heltsley, R – 7th District

John Bruce, R – 8th District
Lucas Stagner, R – 8th District

Christian County Attorney

Lincoln Foster, R

Constable

Mike O. Bubba Haddock, R – 1st District
Patricia Ann Gresham, D – 2nd District
Glenn Rickard, R – 3rd District
Joshua Paul Gydesen, R – 3rd District
Chris Cayce, R – 4th District
Mark A. Graham, R – 5th District
Thomas Walker, R – 6th District
Sherry Byerline, R – 7th District
Richard F. Leavell III, R – 7th District
Brian Diamond, R – 8th District
Jeff W. Newton, R – 8thDistrict

Coroner

Scott Daniel, R

County Clerk

Melinda Humphries, R

Property Valuation Administrator

Amber Ezell, R
Tabitha Pryor Strader, R

Christian County Surveyor

WM. J. “Bill” Chaudoin Jr., R