New Leaders Elected in Jefferson County

Three key offices will see fresh faces for the first time in decades

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:10am

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A photorealistic painting of an empty county courthouse building in soft, warm lighting, conveying a sense of transition and change in the local government.As a new generation of leaders prepares to take the reins of Jefferson County government, the quiet solemnity of the county courthouse reflects the gravity of the political transition.Louisville Today

Jefferson County, Kentucky is set to elect new leaders for three key offices - the county sheriff, county clerk, and county judge-executive - marking a significant shift in the political landscape after decades of the same officials holding those positions.

Why it matters

The upcoming elections represent a major changing of the guard in Jefferson County's government, with new perspectives and priorities expected to shape the direction of these influential offices that oversee law enforcement, elections, and the county's judicial system.

The details

The three offices - county sheriff, county clerk, and county judge-executive - have all been held by the same individuals for over 20 years each. The retirement of the long-serving sheriff, clerk, and judge-executive has created an opportunity for new leadership to emerge in these critical roles.

  • The current sheriff, John Aubrey, recently passed away, leading to the appointment of interim sheriff David James.
  • The county clerk and judge-executive are both retiring after over two decades in office.
  • The elections for the new leaders in these three offices will take place in the upcoming November 2026 election.

The players

David James

The current deputy mayor of Louisville, James was appointed as the interim sheriff following the death of the previous long-serving sheriff, John Aubrey.

Craig Greenberg

The mayor of Louisville, Greenberg appointed David James as the interim sheriff after the passing of the previous sheriff.

John Aubrey

The previous long-serving sheriff of Jefferson County, Aubrey passed away recently after over 20 years in office.

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What’s next

The upcoming November 2026 election will determine the new permanent leaders for the county sheriff, county clerk, and county judge-executive offices in Jefferson County.

The takeaway

The retirement and passing of long-serving officials in three key Jefferson County government roles presents an opportunity for new leadership and a shift in priorities, as the community prepares to elect fresh faces to these influential positions.