NKyTribune staff
Elected offices throughout Northern Kentucky will be contested in 2018, including that of judge/executive in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
The judge/executive holds the highest elected county office and collaboration among those who hold the position in Northern Kentucky is critical to the region’s success.
The Commonwealth’s three northernmost counties have a combined population nearing 400,000, which would make it second only to Jefferson County if it were considered as one Metropolitan area. In addition, the Northern Kentucky Caucus has become increasingly influential in the General Assembly in recent years making shared objectives even more critical to the region’s success.
The judges/executive in the three counties also rotate annually as Board Chair of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the region’s economic development engine.
Incumbent Judges/Executive Gary Moore in Boone County, Steve Pendery in Campbell County and Kris Knochelmann in Kenton County have all announced their intention to seek reelection.
To date, only Pendery has drawn an opponent, according to filings on the Secretary of State website. Anna Zinkhon has filed to challenge Pendery for the Republican nomination, which will be decided in the May, 2018 primary election.
Below is a brief profile of each announced judge/executive candidate from Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties.
BOONE COUNTY
Gary W. Moore was first elected Boone County Judge/Executive in 1998.
In a release announcing his candidacy Moore stated, “Great things are happening in Boone County and we have had many years of success but the next few years are critical for the planning and implementation of our infrastructure needs. I am also running to continue our work in fighting the heroin and opioid issue that is affecting our families and our community.”
Moore serves as the first vice president of the Kentucky Association of Counties and is the past president of the Kentucky County Judge Executive’s Association. On the national level he serves as the National Association of Counties Transportation Steering Committee chairman.
Moore has been working toward his announcement as a candidate by establishing a campaign website, and raising more than $100,000, to date.
He is a member of the Florence Baptist Church at Mt Zion and he and his wife Linda and their family live in Burlington.
CAMPBELL COUNTY
Steve Pendery was elected to his first term as Campbell County Judge/Executive in November 1998.
He is a lifelong resident of Campbell County and is the co-owner of Pendery Insurance and Risk Management Group.
Prior to his service to the Fiscal Court, Pendery was Mayor of Ft. Thomas from 1990 until 1998 and a Councilman from 1984 until 1990.
Pendery is a graduate of Highlands High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Denison University and is a graduate of Ohio State University College of Law.
He serves on the Board of Directors for both the Northern Kentucky University Foundation and the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts. He is a member of the Campbell Leadership Action Group, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. He also belongs to the Kentucky Bar Association and the CPCU Society, which are professional associations.
Pendery and his wife, Dana, have two children, Chase and Allie.
Anna Zinkhon is a lifelong resident of Campbell County. She spent her first 10 years in Cold Spring before moving to Camp Springs.
She graduated from Bishop Brossart High School in Alexandria, and attended a vocational program at the Kentucky Horse Park where she learned horse management.
Zinkhon founded Misty Ridge Farm, a full-time training and boarding service facility, located near Silver Grove.
She is a member of St. Philip’s Parish in Melbourne and is a member of Campbell County Fire District One.
KENTON COUNTY
Kris Knochelmann was elected to his first term as Kenton County Judge/Executive in 2014.
He is a lifelong resident of Kenton County who grew up in Taylor Mill as the youngest of nine children. He went on to graduate from Covington Latin School, then Xavier University with a degree in accounting.
Knochelmann is the owner of the 85-year-old family business Schneller Plumbing Heating and Air, started in Cincinnati in 1928 with offices also in Covington. He has been working in the industry since he was 15 and now oversees a 32-person team who handle the day-to-day operations, allowing him to focus his attention on serving as judge/executive.
Knochelmann previously served as a Kenton County commissioner for eight years.
Knochelmann and his wife Lisa are parishioners at St. Joseph’s in Crescent Springs where they live with their 3 children Liz, Ben, and Drew.
The last day to file nomination papers for judge/executive, or for any office that requires a primary, is Tuesday, January 30.
A list of all candidates that have filed an intent to seek office in Kentucky is available here
As a reputable news feed for Northern Kentucky, I would think that you would correctly identify the county which Kris Knockleman is the Judge Executive.
Although I like your thinking, as I would much rather he be the Judge Exectutive for any other county other than the one I live in.
We corrected the error, Mr. Krpata. Mostly we had it right and regret the one reference in which we did not. Thanks for calling that to our attention.