Election 2026

Gidget Manning: Candidate for Calloway County Judge-Executive

The Sentinel asked candidates about underserved county residents, spending priorities and how they would handle appointments to county boards and commissions.

Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2026 1:44 pm

Manning

Photo provided

About this election coverage

The Murray Sentinel invited all candidates in the contested local races on the Nov. 3 ballot to submit an introductory statement of up to 400 words and answer three office-specific questions, with a limit of 100 words per answer.

Invitations were sent to the email addresses candidates registered with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office. All candidates in each race were sent the same questions, submission guidelines and deadline.

Candidate statements and responses are published without editing or reformatting, including any errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Submissions exceeding the stated word limits are cut off at those limits.

Sentinel Staff

Candidate statement

My name is Gidget Manning and I would be honored to be your next County Judge Executive. I was born and raised here in Calloway County. Met my husband here and we raised our two sons here who are now married and raising their families here. Being a grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren has been the biggest blessing of my life. I have built small businesses from the ground up for years, so I have the CEO experience that is needed for the business part of this job. Currently, I am working in the Special Education Department at Calloway County High School where I see the different needs of this county through our students. I am motivated to make Calloway County a safe and law-abiding community, with opportunities for our children.

Questions and answers

Which populations or areas of Calloway County do you believe are currently underserved by county government, and what would you do to address their needs?

All citizens of the county have been underserved. This is proven by the latest audit from the state. Over 50% of purchases were made without purchase orders. This is not a mistake it is a choice. Subgroups that have been overlooked are school children who are not allowed to attend school due to impassable roads. The incarcerated are another group that has been overlooked.

We have a program called Second Chance that needs to be sponsored so that we move inmates from JAIL TO JOBS. Additionally, the county can benefit financially, and the mental health of inmates raises when they are used to working for the county. This not only serves them, but our community.

When the county’s financial resources are insufficient to meet every need, how would you determine which services and projects receive priority?

Grants, Grants, Grants.
We are most definitely challenged financially. The use of grants will reduce the need to deny help to services and projects. Of course, there may be times help should be prioritized. The main factor is the level of vulnerability of the people involved. It must always be about the people.

The judge/executive plays a role in appointing members to county boards and commissions. How would you approach those appointments and ensure the process is transparent and fair?

I plan to regularly keep the citizens of Calloway aware of county business. The need to make sure the proper people are in positions to help the county at every level on every board we have a voice on. This goes back to what I said about it not being a personal matter but putting personnel where they can thrive and help the county. I would strive to make those appointments based on the knowledge that person has of the board they were wanting to serve on.