Kris Knochelmann, the Republican incumbent for Kenton County Judge/Executive, is on the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, Kentucky general election.

Knochelmann said on his campaign website that his priorities include tighter spending controls, a regional approach to the heroin epidemic and support for tech and knowledge-based economic development.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: Kenton County Judge/Executive
  • Residence: Covington, according to his campaign
  • Education: Covington Latin School; bachelor's degree in accounting from Xavier University, according to his campaign website
  • Family: He and his wife, Lisa, raised their children in Crescent Springs. They are parishioners at St. Joseph's in Crescent Springs, according to his campaign website.
  • Background: Knochelmann said he is a lifelong Kenton County resident who grew up in Taylor Mill and Covington as the youngest of nine children.

Experience and public service

Knochelmann serves as Kenton County Judge/Executive, according to BallotReady. He also owns Schneller & Knochelmann Plumbing Heating Air. He said he has been involved with the business since age 15.

His campaign website lists several board memberships: the Northern Kentucky Area Development District Board of Directors, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the BE NKY Board, the St. Elizabeth Board of Trustees and the Horizon Council of Trustees. He also served as past president of the OKI Regional Council of Governments, according to his campaign.

Knochelmann lists several awards on his campaign site:

  • Boy Scouts of America Trailblazer Award
  • Transitions Heroes Against Heroin award
  • Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky 2020 Community Leadership Award
  • NKY Community Action Commission Doris Wiedemann Memorial Outstanding Board Member Award
  • Walter R. Dunlevy Frontiersman Award

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Knochelmann's campaign website and his responses on BallotReady. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Fiscal transparency and government reform

Knochelmann said he wants to implement online financial records so taxpayers can track expenditures and trends. He also called for updated accounting software, a five-year financial plan and closer management of departmental spending. He said he would advocate to remove the judge/executive position from the taxpayer-funded pension system and would work with state legislators to reorganize the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport board for greater oversight.

Public safety

Knochelmann said he supports investing in a three-county digital radio system for first responders. He called for finalizing 911 consolidation in Kenton County with a regional approach and said he would professionally evaluate a merger of the county police and sheriff's departments. He also said he would address the heroin epidemic through regional cooperation.

Economic development

Knochelmann said he wants to make Kenton County more business-friendly by reducing regulatory barriers. He said he would support tech and knowledge-based development and evaluate site readiness for new companies. He also called for investing in local economic development for cities and privatizing the county-owned golf course to address financial losses.

The positions above are drawn from Knochelmann's campaign website and BallotReady profile. Voters can learn more at krisknochelmann.com.