Kenneth Calloway has resigned as magistrate of Ohio County’s 4th District.
Calloway, who was serving his first term after being elected in 2022, submitted his resignation on May 17, citing work demands as the reason.
“I don’t think I’ve attended a meeting since the end of January,” he said. “I haven’t been to (a meeting) day in Kentucky since the end of January. I have traveled a lot (for work). The large amount of travel has prevented me from attending the meetings, and it is unfair to the voters that they do not have the appropriate representation there to be able to attend the meetings.”
Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston said every effort has been made to find a way for Calloway to continue serving as a magistrate.
“We tried to encourage him to stay, and we would work around (his schedule) any way we could, but he just found it too overwhelming and he was criticized,” Johnston said. “He missed a lot of meetings because of his job, so it was rumored that he had already resigned.
“It’s a big loss. He’s done a good job, and he’s someone who’s fun to be around. We were proud to have someone of that caliber on the field.”
Calloway said he appreciated the support Johnston showed in resolving the scheduling conflict and enjoyed serving the people of Ohio County.
“It was a great experience,” he said. “The members of the court are great guys. It wasn’t about the work. It was just unfair that voters didn’t have the amount of representation they needed because of my travel schedule. That wasn’t the case when I ran. I didn’t travel that often.”
Calloway said he decided to resign when he did so that an election to fill the seat could be held in November.
“David was like, ‘Let’s wait and see if things change,’ but if I resign before a certain time, people will have a voice in the process and (the seat) can be added to the ballot,” said he. . “I absolutely wanted voters to have a say in the process of choosing my replacement, rather than waiting for the next election in two years. I thought it was only fair that they were given that opportunity.”
Johnston said the local Republican and Democratic parties will meet soon to nominate a candidate for the November ballot. He said he knows several Republicans who have expressed interest in the position.
Government Andy Beshear will appoint someone to fill the position until the elections take place. Johnston expects to speak with Beshear next week.
“I have a few names in mind, but I haven’t talked to them yet,” Johnston said of who he plans to recommend to Beshear. “(Beshear) will call and talk about who to appoint, and the appointment will last until the election. The winner will be sworn in immediately after the elections.”
Johnston said it would be “ideal” to appoint someone before the next meeting of the Fiscal Court on June 10.
He would prefer that no one run for the seat in November.
“To be honest, I would almost advise him not to do that because it could give one or the other an unfair advantage if they still have a six-month head start,” he said.
