2 Republicans vie for Barren County judge-executive seat
Published 6:00 am Saturday, April 11, 2026
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Jamie Bewley Byrd (SUBMITTED)
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Paula Pedigo (SUBMITTED)
Two candidates will face off in the May Republican primary election for Barren County judge-executive, a race that will essentially act as a general election as no Democratic candidates have filed to run for the seat.
Jamie Bewley Byrd was first elected judge-executive for Barren County in 2022. Continuing to build partnerships between different levels of government and setting the county up for future economic success are some accomplishments she said she is proud of over the past four years.
Bewley Byrd cited the ongoing agricultural expo center project as an example of getting Barren County ready for the future. Plans for the center have been in the works since the early 2000s, and last week a $20 million allocation from the federal government was celebrated for the project.
“That’s a huge project to me,” Bewley Byrd said. “My goal in everything I’m doing is to not use local tax dollars to make it happen. That’s my goal.”
On the business side, Bewley Byrd said she will work to continue attracting business investment into Barren County. Last October the data center parts manufacturer Tate, Inc. announced it would bring a $61.2 million development to Glasgow, one that will bring 400 jobs with it.
“We’re going to continue to support Tate as much as we can,” Bewley Byrd said. “They’ve got a large opportunity and and we’re thankful to have in our community.
“Our investors are excited, and I want to keep them excited,” she said. “I want them to win, just like I want the county to win.”
Challenging Bewley Byrd in the May primary is Paula Pedigo, an author and speaker who has also served as a small business manager and grant and program administrator,
This is the first time Pedigo has run for political office. She said one of her main priorities if elected will be to examine county government’s financial situation and looking at how county money is being spent.
“I think we need a thorough assessment of a detailed budget analysis, and from there, we can decide how we proceed,” she said.
Pedigo said improving government transparency is another priority. She said if elected, she would institute a 30-day public comment period for county ordinances. The comment period would take place before ordinances are introduced for a vote.
Examining the needs of the community are another focus. Pedigo said this would extend to workforce developent and strategic targeting of business developments.
“We know, how many people are unemployed,” she said. “We don’t necessarily know the job skills that they have and their capabilities of employment. We have to try to target strategically our development with industry.”
The primary election is set for May 9.
About Jack Dobbs
Jack covers city government for the Daily News. Originally from Simpson County, he attended Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2022 with a degree in journalism.
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