William C. Mattingly is seeking election as Daviess District Court, Division 1 judge, citing his behind-the-scenes experience in the local court system and a desire to improve efficiency, clarity, and accessibility for Daviess County residents.
“I’ve been part of the Daviess County court system for the past nine years,” Mattingly said. “During that time, I learned what it means to be a judge — how a judge thinks — because I worked directly with the circuit court judges and with the Court of Appeals.”
Mattingly most recently served as a staff attorney with the Kentucky Court of Appeals, resigning from that position at the end of 2025 as required under Kentucky judicial rules in order to seek office. Prior to that, he worked for several years as a staff attorney in Daviess Circuit Court.
“I know the ins and outs of the Daviess County court system from having worked with Daviess County judges,” he said. “I know our court staff. I know the attorneys in town. I think that would be a great thing to bring as a district court judge here.”
Mattingly said one of his primary goals, if elected, would be improving docket control — particularly in high-volume areas such as traffic court.
“One of the biggest things in district court is docket control,” he said. “Everybody’s had that experience of going to traffic court, sitting in a big courtroom, and waiting forever.”
He said meaningful improvements require coordination among multiple parts of the system.
“That’s not something any one judge can do on their own,” Mattingly said. “That requires collaborating with the county attorney, public defenders, the private bar, the clerks, and the other district court judges. But always looking at ways to streamline the process and keep waiting times down is important.”
Mattingly also emphasized the importance of timely rulings, noting that delays can have serious personal and financial consequences for the people appearing before the court.
“I know that a lot of people wait a long time for cases to resolve,” he said. “Sometimes that’s unavoidable, but these are people waiting to move on with their lives. They’re waiting to move on with their businesses. They’re waiting to know whether or not they’re going to jail or if there are going to be consequences.”
He added, “They’re waiting on you to make a decision. I intend to make decisions as efficiently as possible, while keeping in mind all the rights and needs of the parties involved.”
His experience at the appellate level, Mattingly said, reinforced the importance of trial court judges clearly explaining their rulings.
“When you’re at the Court of Appeals, you’re reviewing the work of another judge,” he said. “You’re making sure they considered everything they were supposed to. That really reminds you that trial court decisions matter.”
Mattingly said communication is especially critical in district court, where many defendants and litigants appear without attorneys.
“A lot of people in district court are what we call pro se,” he said. “They don’t have attorneys, and sometimes they don’t understand why a judge ruled the way they did.”
While not everyone will agree with a ruling, he said, transparency is essential.
“They may not like the decision, but they have a right to know what decision was made and how I got there,” Mattingly said.
In addition to his court work, Mattingly serves as an adjunct professor at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he teaches legal-related courses. He said that experience has helped him learn how to explain complex legal concepts in plain language.
“I’ve had to explain complicated legal ideas to undergraduates,” he said. “That’s helped me learn how to communicate clearly, and that carries over directly into the courtroom.”
Mattingly also said judges have a responsibility to help educate young people about the legal system. He pointed to mock trial programs as an important tool for sparking interest in the law and connecting students with mentors.
“If not for mock trial, I would not have been an attorney myself,” he said. “Judges took the time to mentor me, and that’s something I want to continue for the next generation.”
An Owensboro native and graduate of Owensboro Catholic High School, Mattingly said his focus remains on serving the community through the role of district court judge.
“These are Daviess County citizens,” he said. “My goal is to use everything I’ve learned — from circuit court and from the Court of Appeals — to make the best decisions possible under the law for the people who come before the court.”
Mattingly is an Owensboro native who graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine University, a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law, and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Kentucky.
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