Fourth-generation farmer and longtime community leader Rod Kuegel has announced his candidacy for Daviess County Judge-Executive, pledging to bring a new level of cooperation and problem-solving to local government.
Kuegel, 72, said his campaign is motivated by a desire to strengthen collaboration across City and County governments and to move Daviess County forward through unity and communication.
“This race is not about Rod Kuegel,” he said during his announcement event. “It’s about our children. It’s about our grandchildren and their future in this community.”
Kuegel said he’s running to represent the people’s voice rather than “an echo of the past or the way it’s always been done.” He emphasized that doing nothing is not an option and that the community can “do better” when leaders and citizens work together.
Kuegel said his main concern is that local leadership has become stagnant and divided, hindering progress and economic competitiveness.
“We seem to be stagnant,” he said in an interview following his speech. “There seems to be a lack of cooperation. This is competitive now for every business job that comes to town. We’re competing with another city or municipality. If we’re going to get those jobs, we have to be cohesive. We have to be together and present a united front. I just don’t see that we’re doing that.”
He said he envisions a closer working relationship between City and County officials.
“Imagine if the mayor of Owensboro and the Daviess County judge-executive met weekly to ensure we’re doing everything possible to make our community better,” Kuegel said. “I can’t understand why this is not happening now. What if the City and the County worked with our education and business partners to build our economy and retain more of our children here? We have so much potential, and I just can’t sit this one out.”
Kuegel said he believes effective leadership starts with listening and transparency.
“It’s the responsibility of our elected officials to weigh all of the information they get, listen to everyone who has comments, and then make a decision and explain why they made that decision,” he said.
Asked about handling divisive issues, Kuegel said that government decisions should be based on the facts and community interest, not politics.
“You’re not going to please everybody all the time, but you have to make an educated decision,” he said. “The decisions that are being made aren’t always in the best interest of our community.”
As a Democrat, Kuegel acknowledged he faces an uphill battle in a county where most elected officials are Republican. However, Kuegel said he’s focused on local issues rather than party lines.
“I think I’ve got a big mountain to climb here,” he said. “But when it comes to the issues of drainage, the cleanliness of our streets, or the issues that are so important to our people locally, I don’t think they look at Republican or Democrat. I think they look at people who are going to give them solutions to the problem.”
Kuegel has worked the land in western Daviess County for more than five decades, operating Kuegel Farms, where he grows grain, raises cattle, and runs a custom meat processing business that serves local families and businesses.
Kuegel said his father, who farmed alongside him until age 92, instilled in him the values of hard work and service that have guided his career and faith. He has served as a church deacon since 1980 and said his faith continues to influence his leadership and decisions.
This marks Kuegel’s first campaign for public office, but he said his decades of leadership experience on local boards have prepared him for the role. He’s served as chair of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation Board and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Regional Infrastructure Committee. He has also served on the Owensboro Riverport Authority, Independence Bank, Brescia University, Financial Leadership, and Federal Land Bank boards. He’s a graduate of the Kentucky Agriculture Leadership program and has received a Presidential Appointment to the U.S. Tobacco Task Force.
As for what comes next, Kuegel said his campaign will center on community input and accountability.
“I don’t have all the answers,” he said. “I’m looking for people to give me their opinions and their knowledge.”
Kuegel closed his announcement speech with a call for unity and service.
“If you see something that needs fixing and you can do it, that’s your responsibility and your calling. Working together, we can fix this,” he said. “My calling is serving as your next Daviess County Judge-Executive.”
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