Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Paducah City Commission Election 2026

4 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 4

5 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Commission · Vote for up to 4

Raynarldo HendersonIncumbentRaynarldo Henderson is a Paducah city commissioner and pastor of Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church. He served on the Paducah Housing Authority board for 17 years, 16 of them as chairman.5sourced
Robert "Buz" SmithIncumbentRobert "Buz" Smith is a Paducah city commissioner who served six earlier terms and returned in 2023. He worked 23 years in sales management at US Foodservice and 16 years for the Department of Energy as a strategic planner and program analyst.5sourced
Dujuan ThomasIncumbentDujuan Thomas is a Paducah city commissioner elected in 2024, the youngest in the city's history. He runs Dujuan Thomas Productions, a media, marketing and design business.5sourced
Gerald WatkinsGerald Watkins is a Realtor and former Kentucky state representative and Paducah commissioner. He taught political science at West Kentucky Community and Technical College for over 28 years.2sourced
Sandra WilsonIncumbentSandra Wilson is a Paducah city commissioner first elected in 2012 and serves as Mayor Pro Tem. She became President/CEO of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce in June 2013.5sourced

Voters choose up to four of the five City Commission candidates on the ballot. Mayor George Bray's seat is not on the ballot.

1 note on these statements

The county clerk drew the ballot order for the commission race as Sandra Wilson, Robert "Buz" Smith, Raynarldo Henderson, Dujuan Thomas and Gerald Watkins. WPSD Local 6

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

George BrayGeorge Bray is the mayor of Paducah, first elected in November 2020 and reelected in November 2024.3sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity budget and property taxes, Speculative industrial building, Zoning, housing and annexation Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register or make changes for the general election

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

City budget and property taxes

Where it standsThe Board's Oct. 2, 2026 agenda proposed setting FY2027 property tax rates at the compensating rate, below last year's.

What's on the tableThe next commission sets the tax rates and the annual budget that follow.

The proposed FY2027 real estate rate is $.253 per $100 of assessed value, down from $.271. City of Paducah · Oct 2, 2026
The proposed personal property rate is $.340 per $100 of assessed value, down from $.356. City of Paducah · Oct 2, 2026
The commission adopted a FY2027 budget with General Fund appropriations of $51,882,954 against revenues of $49,713,352. City of Paducah · Jun 9, 2026
Finance staff told the commission in April that expenditures have been increasing at a faster rate than revenue. City of Paducah · Apr 28, 2026

Speculative industrial building

Where it standsThe commission approved the interlocal agreement and up to $6 million in notes for the building in August 2026, each by a 4-1 vote.

What's on the tableHow the city oversees the project and weighs future borrowing for economic development.

The building is a 100,000-square-foot speculative industrial building at 5700 Commerce Drive in Industrial Park West. City of Paducah · Aug 11, 2026
The notes are limited to $6,000,000 and mature on Sept. 1, 2029. City of Paducah · Aug 11, 2026
The notes are general obligations of the city, with its full faith, credit and taxing power pledged. City of Paducah · Aug 11, 2026

Zoning, housing and annexation

Where it standsThe commission loosened R-3 zoning in May 2026 and has introduced further residential zoning changes.

What's on the tableWhich zoning changes for older neighborhoods and manufactured homes the commission finalizes, and which annexation requests it accepts.

The May 26 R-3 amendment reduces minimum lot size and width requirements and adds neighborhood corner stores as a permitted use. City of Paducah · May 26, 2026
On June 23 the commission introduced amendments allowing qualified manufactured homes in residential zones where single-family homes are permitted. City of Paducah · Jun 23, 2026
On July 28 the commission adopted the consensual annexation of about 30.78 acres at 435 and 485 Berger Road. City of Paducah · Jul 28, 2026

Opioid settlement funds

Where it standsA policy on using opioid settlement funds was on the Board's Oct. 2, 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableHow much opioid settlement money goes to outside agencies versus the city's own programs.

The proposed policy would cap awards to outside agencies at 20 percent of funds held as of July 1 of any fiscal year. City of Paducah · Oct 2, 2026
The proposed policy prioritizes continued funding of the city's Deflection Program. City of Paducah · Oct 2, 2026
On Aug. 25 the commission approved a contract of up to $200,000 with Lifeline Recovery Center for four passenger vans, paid from the Opioid Settlement Fund. City of Paducah · Aug 25, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should Paducah loosen zoning in older residential neighborhoods?
2. Should Paducah accept annexation requests from landowners next to the city?
3. Should the city borrow to build industrial buildings before a tenant is found?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register or make changes for the general electionMcCracken County ClerkOct 5, 2026
In-person excused absentee voting beginsMcCracken County ClerkOct 21, 2026
No-excuse early voting beginsMcCracken County ClerkOct 29, 2026
Election Day, polls open 6 AM to 6 PMMcCracken County ClerkNov 3, 2026

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): George Bray4 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The Board of Commissioners is made up of the mayor and four commissioners elected at large on a nonpartisan basis. City of Paducah
The mayor is elected for a four-year term and commissioners for two-year terms. City of Paducah
The mayor and commissioners have equal voting powers. City of Paducah
Paducah operates under a City Manager Plan form of government. City of Paducah
Four two-year seats on Paducah’s city commission were to be filled by the top four vote-getters in the November 2024 election. WKMS · Sep 6, 2024

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