Christian County Magistrate Russ Guffey is running for mayor of Hopkinsville, setting up a Republican primary race with incumbent James R. Knight Jr.
Guffey made the announcement early Wednesday — the first day that candidates can file for 2026 elections in Kentucky — in a social media post. It features a four-minute video with Guffey speaking in front of the Hopkinsville Municipal Center.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish. I hope we all agree that this proverb rings true with every generation and and in every facet of life,” Guffey, who is currently serving his first term as District 7 magistrate on Christian Fiscal Court, says in the video.
“Families have dreams but must budget and live accordingly. Businesses want expansion but must reinvest and adapt with the times, and government should be no different,” he says. “Reactive responses are not a form of leadership. More times than not, they highlight liability. It’s proactive planning that leads to preparation and prevention — and frees up valuable resources for upkeep and growth.”
Knight issued a press release Wednesday to announce that he is running to seek a second four-year term in office.
He said is committed to honoring “the city’s history while building a stronger tomorrow.”
The release highlights “meaningful progress” in four areas of Knight’s administration — public safety, economic development, quality of life and cleanliness, and support for city staff.
“Hopkinsville has always been home to hard-working, resilient people,” Knight said in the release. “Over the past few years, we’ve worked to honor our community’s roots while creating new opportunities that reflect a better tomorrow for our citizens. From revitalizing our parks and supporting local businesses to investing in our workforce, our goal is simple: to keep Hopkinsville growing forward.”
This story was updated.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
