Rep. Imes to Run for Judge-Executive, Not KY House

State Representative Kenny Imes announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election as 5th District State Representative, but will run for Calloway County Judge-Executive, instead.

Current Judge-Executive Larry Elkins announced earlier this month that he would not seek re-election. 

By next November, Imes will have served three consecutive terms in the House after being elected in 2012. He previously served in the office from 1971 to 1979.

In a press release, Imes said, “I have always believed – as our Founding Fathers did – in term limits. I am very proud of the work we all accomplished together in Frankfort. However, it is now time for me to come home and serve my neighbors and fellow citizens in a new way, if I am so fortunate as to be our next County Judge-Executive." 

As for his goals in the new political pursuit, Imes said, "Murray-Calloway County is truly at the cusp of greatness and I want to do my part in making sure we continue to fight for a seat at the table in Frankfort with our county road projects and economic development opportunities. My lifelong experience working in transportation, economic development, agriculture, as well as my career as a small-businessman will be put to good use for the citizens of Calloway County in the Judge’s Office.”

Imes will serve the rest of his term, since elections for both the Kentucky House of Representatives and Calloway County Judge-Executive occur in November 2018.

“I will continue to work for my fellow citizens and serve the Fifth District in Frankfort in a bold way for my last legislative session, fighting for our public school teachers and staff members in our K-12 schools and at Murray State University and working hard to make sure Trigg and Calloway Counties are advocated for boldly with our Governor and the Legislature," Imes said. "I also will serve this last year, as I have all the years prior, with our far western Kentucky conservative principles and values that have been with me my whole life and which Frankfort could not change in me. I am truly humbled and honored to have been able to serve and am looking forward to serving our citizens in this new role if I am so fortunate.”