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Kentucky Supreme Court elections
There are seven justices on the Kentucky Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the Kentucky judicial elections page.
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in Kentucky
The seven justices of the Kentucky Supreme Court are elected to eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections. They must run for re-election if they wish to serve subsequent terms.[1]
Qualifications
To serve on the Kentucky Supreme Court, the judge must be:
| “ | ” |
Chief justice
The chief justice of the court is chosen by peer vote. He or she serves in that capacity for four years.[1]
Vacancies
If a midterm vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a successor from a list of three names provided by the Kentucky Judicial Nominating Commission. If the term the appointee will fill expires at the next election, the appointment is for the remainder of the term. If the term does not expire at the next election and that election is more than three months away, the appointee must stand for election, and the election is for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the term does not expire at the next election, but the election is less than three months away, the appointee must stand for election in the election following the next. The election is for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any; if none of the term is left, the election is for a full term.[1]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
Elections
2024
- See also: Kentucky Supreme Court elections, 2024
5th District
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 5th District
Pamela R. Goodwine defeated Erin Izzo in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 5th District on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Pamela R. Goodwine (Nonpartisan) | 76.9 | 183,821 |
 | Erin Izzo (Nonpartisan)  | 23.1 | 55,085 | |
| Total votes: 238,906 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Pamela R. Goodwine and Erin Izzo advanced from the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 5th District.
2022
- See also: Kentucky Supreme Court elections, 2022
1st District
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 1st District
Incumbent Christopher Nickell won election in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 1st District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Christopher Nickell (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 115,659 |
| Total votes: 115,659 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Christopher Nickell advanced from the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 1st District.
2nd District
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 2nd District
Kelly Thompson defeated Shawn Alcott in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 2nd District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kelly Thompson (Nonpartisan) | 62.5 | 81,761 |
 | Shawn Alcott (Nonpartisan) | 37.5 | 49,119 | |
| Total votes: 130,880 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Shawn Alcott and Kelly Thompson advanced from the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 2nd District.
4th District
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 4th District
Angela McCormick Bisig defeated Jason Bowman in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 4th District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Angela McCormick Bisig (Nonpartisan) | 80.3 | 174,328 |
 | Jason Bowman (Nonpartisan) | 19.7 | 42,645 | |
| Total votes: 216,973 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Angela McCormick Bisig and Jason Bowman advanced from the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 4th District.
6th District
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 6th District
Incumbent Michelle M. Keller defeated Joseph Fischer in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 6th District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michelle M. Keller (Nonpartisan) | 54.8 | 87,292 |
 | Joseph Fischer (Nonpartisan) | 45.2 | 71,911 | |
| Total votes: 159,203 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Michelle M. Keller and Joseph Fischer advanced from the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 6th District.
2020
- See also: Kentucky Supreme Court elections, 2020
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 7th District
Robert Conley defeated Chris Harris in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 7th District on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Robert Conley (Nonpartisan) | 55.5 | 90,636 |
 | Chris Harris (Nonpartisan) | 44.5 | 72,691 | |
| Total votes: 163,327 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 7th District
Robert Conley and Chris Harris defeated incumbent Samuel T. Wright in the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 7th District on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robert Conley (Nonpartisan) | 39.9 | 32,782 |
| ✔ | | Chris Harris (Nonpartisan) | 30.2 | 24,807 |
 | Samuel T. Wright (Nonpartisan) | 29.8 | 24,470 | |
| Total votes: 82,059 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Kentucky Supreme Court elections, 2018
General election
General election for Kentucky Supreme Court 3rd District
Debra Hembree Lambert defeated Daniel Ballou in the general election for Kentucky Supreme Court 3rd District on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Debra Hembree Lambert (Nonpartisan) | 65.1 | 95,237 |
| Daniel Ballou (Nonpartisan) | 34.9 | 51,075 | ||
| Total votes: 146,312 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 3rd District
Debra Hembree Lambert and Daniel Ballou defeated David A. Tapp in the primary for Kentucky Supreme Court 3rd District on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debra Hembree Lambert (Nonpartisan) | 50.2 | 64,028 |
| ✔ | Daniel Ballou (Nonpartisan) | 25.3 | 32,277 | |
 | David A. Tapp (Nonpartisan) | 24.5 | 31,289 | |
| Total votes: 127,594 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Candidates
- Deputy Chief Justice Mary Noble did not stand for re-election in 2016.[5]
■ Glenn Acree
■ Laurance VanMeter 
Election results
November 8 general election results
Laurance VanMeter defeated Glenn Acree in the general election for Mary Noble's seat on the Kentucky Supreme Court.
| Kentucky Supreme Court 2016 General Election, Mary Noble's Seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Laurance VanMeter |
74.05% | 178,720 |
| Glenn Acree | 25.95% | 62,624 |
| Total Votes (100% reporting) | 241,344 | |
| Source: Kentucky Secretary of State Official Results | ||
May 17 primary election results
Because there were only two candidates, they both advanced to the general election on November 8, 2016.
| Kentucky Supreme Court, 2016 Primary, Mary Noble's Seat, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
| Glenn Acree | ||
| Laurance VanMeter | ||
2014
- See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2014
| Unopposed | Judge Bill Cunningham (Kentucky) (1st District) |
|---|
| Unopposed | Judge John D. Minton, Jr. (2nd District) |
|---|
| Unopposed | Judge Lisabeth Tabor Hughes (4th District) |
|---|
6th District
| Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
Michelle Keller | Yes | 58.4% | |
| Teresa L. Cunningham | No | 41.6%  |
2012
See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2012
| Candidate | Incumbency | Primary Vote | Election Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janet Stumbo | No | 41.9%  | |
| Will T. Scott |
2010
See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2010
Daniel Venters ran uncontested and was re-elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court.[6] Venters won in a landslide, receiving 100 percent of the vote.[7]
| Candidate | Incumbent |
|---|---|
Daniel Venters  |
Yes |
2008
In 2008, incumbent Justice Lisabeth Tabor Hughes was challenged by Jim Shake. who won election to the court with 55% of the vote. Abramson and Shake both applied to fill the vacancy on the court created by the retirement of William E. McAnulty, Jr. in 2007; Abramson was appointed by Governor Ernie Fletcher.
Incumbents Daniel Venters and Mary Noble were re-elected without opposition.[8]
Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contested candidates
Uncontested candidates
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Candidates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lisabeth Tabor HughesAbramson received her B.A. in English from the University of Louisville in 1977 and her J.D. from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1980.[9] Abramson first served as a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from 1997 to 1998, following an appointment by then Governor Paul Patton. From January 1999 until 2006, she served as a judge for the 30th Judicial Circuit, representing Jefferson County. She was then re-appointed to the Court of Appeals on June 30, 2006, to fill a vacancy in Division 2 of the 4th Appellate District and subsequently elected to that position in November 2006.[10] Jim ShakeShake received his undergraduate degree and J.D. from the University of Louisville in 1977 and 1980, respectively. Shake began his career as a public defender in Jefferson County. He then worked in private practice and as an assistant county attorney. He was appointed to the Thirtieth Circuit by former Governor Brereton Jones in 1993.[11] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Campaign Contributions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bar Association Rankings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This poll of local attorneys was conducted by the Louisville Bar Association.[14] | |||||
| Candidates | Highly Qualified (%) |
Qualified (%) |
Unqualified (%) |
Don't Know Candidate (%) |
Not Rated (%) |
| Lisabeth Tabor Hughes | 65.7 | 18.3 | 2.2 | 8.6 | 5.2 |
| Jim Shake | 58.7 | 28.6 | 2.6 | 5.5 | 4.6 |
News
2006
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Cunningham |
No | 1st District | 77,763 | 61.3% |
| Rick Johnson | No | 1st District | 49,165 | 38.7% |
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William McAnulty |
4th District | 104,616 | 51.8% | |
| Ann O'Malley Shake | 4th District | 97,483 | 48.2% |
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Noble |
5th District | 96,337 | 59.6% | |
| John Roach | 5th District | 65,378 | 40.4% |
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wil Schroder |
6th District | 84,467 | 64.4% | |
| Marcus Carey | 6th District | 46,666 | 35.6% |
| Candidate | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| John D. Minton, Jr. |
Yes |
2004
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will T. Scott |
No | 7th District | 80,651 | 50.7% |
| Janet Stumbo | Yes | 7th District | 78,529 | 49.3% |
2002
| Candidate | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| Joseph Lambert |
Yes |
2000
| Candidate | Incumbent | Seat | Election votes | Election % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James E. Keller |
Yes | 5th District | 114,829 | 58.3% |
| Larry Forgy | No | 5th District | 82,282 | 41.7% |
}} }}
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection," accessed September 15, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky Board of Elections, "Candidate Qualifications," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, "Kentucky Constitution, Section 122," accessed June 1, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, "Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State: Election: 2016 Primary Election," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Supreme Court candidates"
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Official Election Results"
- ↑ Kentucky Board of Elections, "Official Results," November 26, 2008
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Justice Lisabeth Tabor Hughes (KY)"
- ↑ Kentucky Supreme Court, "Justice Lisabeth Tabor Hughes"
- ↑ Shake in 08, "Shake biography"
- ↑ Follow the Money.org, "Lisabeth Tabor Hughes - 2008 campaign contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money.org, "James M. (Jim) Shake - 2008 campaign contributions"
- ↑ Louisville Bar Association, "LBA Judicial Poll Results," 2008 (dead link)
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of States, 2006 General Election Results
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of States, 2004 General Election Results
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, 2002 General Election Results
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of States, 2000 General Election Results
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky
State courts:
Kentucky Supreme Court • Kentucky Court of Appeals • Kentucky Circuit Courts • Kentucky District Courts • Kentucky Family Court
State resources:
Courts in Kentucky • Kentucky judicial elections • Judicial selection in Kentucky
