Lindsay Hughes Thurston
Lindsay Hughes Thurston is a judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division. She assumed office in 2019. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Hughes Thurston is running for re-election for judge of the Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division. The primary for this office on May 19, 2026, was canceled.
Biography
Lindsay Hughes Thurston earned a B.A. in political science and government from Stephens College in 1999 and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky in 2003. Thurston's career experience includes working as an assistant county attorney with the Fayette County Attorney's Office, as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office, and as an assistant secretary of state at the Office of the Secretary of State of Kentucky.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: City elections in Lexington, Kentucky (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division
Incumbent Lindsay Hughes Thurston (Nonpartisan) is running in the general election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Lindsay Hughes Thurston (Nonpartisan) | |
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary
The primary scheduled for May 19, 2026, was canceled. Incumbent Lindsay Hughes Thurston (Nonpartisan) advanced from the primary for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
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2022
See also: City elections in Lexington, Kentucky (2022)
General election
General election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division
Incumbent Lindsay Hughes Thurston won election in the general election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lindsay Hughes Thurston (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 52,623 |
| Total votes: 52,623 | |||
| = 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 Lindsay Hughes Thurston advanced from the primary for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division.
2018
General election
General election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division
Lindsay Hughes Thurston defeated incumbent Kim Wilkie in the general election for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lindsay Hughes Thurston (Nonpartisan) | 57.6 | 46,790 |
 | Kim Wilkie (Nonpartisan) | 42.4 | 34,373 | |
| Total votes: 81,163 (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
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kim Wilkie and Lindsay Hughes Thurston advanced from the primary for Kentucky 22nd District Court 3rd Division.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christopher Wilkie (Nonpartisan)
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The judges of the Kentucky District Courts are elected in nonpartisan elections. They serve four-year terms and must run for re-election if they wish to serve again.[2][3]
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[2]
- a U.S. citizen;
- a resident of the represented district for at least two years; and
- licensed to practice law for at least two years.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Lindsay Hughes Thurston did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Lindsay Hughes Thurston completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hughes Thurston's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My top priorities are to be a fair, impartial and independent judge; render decisions in a timely manner and treat everyone who comes before me fairly and with respect.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
In my career as a prosecutor at the state and federal level and top official in state government, I have been passionate about fighting for women, children and working families. I am also committed to keeping our community of Lexington safe and attractive to its citizens and prospective residents.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I am lucky to have been surrounded by many strong women in my life and career. I am blessed to have been mentored by female state and federal judges and other women leaders in our community who have empowered me with the perspective and tools to be a fair judge.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Fair, independent and impartiality.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have spent my entire career in public service. I am running for District Court Judge because I care about my community, I have the credentials, the work ethic and the commitment to the law.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
A strong work ethic, commitment, and dedication to our community and its citizens.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle. I was 8 years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was as a dance instructor in high school.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas
What is your favorite book? Why?
To Kill a Mockingbird
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Wonder Woman!
How would you describe your legal philosophy?
I am understanding, but I also expect personal accountability. And while I have been a zealous advocate for my clients throughout my career, I am likewise a fierce champion of justice.
Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?
Yes. I will be compassionate, dedicated and thorough. I have a strong reputation for being respectful of and courteous to all participants in the legal process. While I will be fair and impartial, I will be a tough judge.
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have spent my entire career in public service. I am running for District Court Judge because I care about my community, I have the credentials, the work ethic and the commitment to the law. I have also practiced in nearly every area over which a District Court presides. I am able, qualified and ready to serve.
If you are not a sitting judge, do you have previous judicial experience? Do you believe it's important to have that kind of experience for this judgeship?
I believe my experiences as a state and federal prosecutor and currently my experience as a top official in state government have prepared me for this role.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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
