Bryce Caldwell is seeking to retain his seat as Daviess Circuit Court, Division 1 judge, saying he wants to continue the steady work he’s begun since being appointed to the bench earlier this year. Caldwell said he’s enjoyed the role and believes his experience and approach make him well-suited to continue serving the community.
Caldwell, 47, said his motivation to run remains the same as when he first stepped into the role.
“I’ve enjoyed the work and the people that I’m working with,” he said. “I think we’ve done a good job so far, and I think it can continue. I just want an opportunity to continue that good work and move forward with it.”
Caldwell earned his bachelor of arts in political science from Georgetown College, where he lettered in football and baseball and competed on nationally recognized teams. He completed his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2009 and has been a member of the Kentucky Bar since that year.
His legal career has included private practice, complex civil and criminal litigation, and extensive federal court work. He has been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for both the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He also served as a Criminal Justice Act attorney representing indigent and conflict defendants in federal court.
Those experiences, he said, shaped the perspective he now brings to the bench.
A vacancy for the circuit judge seat Caldwell now holds came following the retirement of longtime Judge Jay Wethington. After a multi-stage application and interview process, a judicial commission forwarded three names to Gov. Andy Beshear, who ultimately selected Caldwell for the appointment.
Caldwell said the transition from attorney to judge has been a unique experience, even after more than 15 years of practice in state and federal courts.
“It has been a different view, you know, from doing this kind of presiding over a lot of the stuff I took part in,” he said. “It is a different job, and I’ve learned a ton — and will continue to. But that’s the goal: to keep providing that to the community and keep it moving along, and stability with the court system in general.”
Caldwell said he does not see any major structural changes he wants to implement from the bench, but he believes improvement is always possible. Instead, he said his focus is on maintaining the steady operation of the court, honoring the traditions set by his predecessors, and ensuring Daviess County continues to have a reliable, efficient circuit bench.
Caldwell emphasized the importance of a court system that balances compassion with accountability.
“The people of this community deserve a court that enforces the law firmly and fairly — one that protects victims, holds offenders accountable, and treats every person with dignity under the law,” he said.
Caldwell said stepping into the role mid-term has meant balancing a full docket while beginning the process of running a countywide campaign. Still, he said his priority is clear:
“I’m ready to get to work,” he said. “I’m proud to call Daviess County home. This community believes in hard work, respect, and accountability. I strive to bring those same values to the courtroom every day.”
Outside the courtroom, Caldwell and his wife Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Caldwell, a school psychologist for Owensboro Public Schools, are raising their three children — John Henry, Poppy, and Lovie. He coaches their sports teams and enjoys bowhunting and fishing when time allows.
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