Candidate Questionnaire
What is your name: JR Stanley
What office are you seeking? Magistrate Dist 1
What is your age: 68
Please provide family background. (I.E. spouse, children, grandchildren, pets)
Married 46 years to wife Terri Stanley, 2 adult daughters Tanya Benton and Jenna
Graham (both educators in the Henderson County School System), 4 grandchildren.
What is your educational background? (i.e. high school, GED, associate
degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral degree, etc.
Education: H.C.H.S. Graduate 1976, Road Master Certificate – University of KY 2002
Emergency Management Certified- US Dept of Homeland Security/FEMA. Inspector
Management Training in Toxic Substance Control- Asbestos from the Environment Training
Center.
Have you been elected to a political office previously? If so, what office(s) and
when did you hold the office(s)?
No prior.
What is your professional background? (Please include career and any boards
and volunteer work.)
Street Superintendent City of Henderson from 1996 – 2014.
Managed budgets totaling $6.5 million as Interim Director of Public Works for the City of
Henderson and $2.2 million as Streets Superintendent. As Streets Superintendent, I
was recognized by the University of Kentucky Transportation Center for strategic
planning and safety in the reconstruction of Wolf Hills/Stratman Road in 2013. I am a
member of the American Public Works Association. I currently serve as President of the
Baskett Community Fire Department, where I led the planning and completion of the
new fire station in October 2025. Active board member Baskett Cemetery, Inc.
I also served as a board member of Involvement, Inc. for 22 years and Audubon Area
Community Services for 4 years.
Current Occupation:
Retired Street Superintendent from the City of Henderson. Current President of the
Baskett Community Fire Department
Why are you running for office?
I decided to run after witnessing firsthand the unnecessary hurdles, costly
delays, and ongoing frustrations during the construction of the new Baskett
Fire Department. That process revealed the need for clearer communication,
accountability, and problem-solving within county leadership. Henderson
County deserves better efficiency and transparency in how projects are
managed. I also strongly believe in term limits, and the current magistrate has
already served two terms. I have been truly humbled and encouraged by the
many residents who have reached out, asking me to run and offering their
support. Their confidence in me reinforced my desire to step forward.
If elected to office, what would be your top three goals?
1. My top priorities include making Henderson County a more business-friendly
environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs, which strengthens our local
economy.
2. I will work to address the ongoing litter issue along Wolf Hills Road extending to the
landfill, as it affects both safety and community pride.
3. Securing additional funding for county roads and public safety is critical, as is
advocating for increased support for our volunteer fire departments. These departments
play a vital role in protecting our communities, and they deserve strong county
Why should people vote for you?
I will be a new voice with fresh ideas and a new perspective, who is willing to work hard for
the voters of District 1. I will commit to doing the necessary research to make informed
decisions.
Please feel free to add an additional comment.
I will be available to listen to all district concerns. I will vote accordingly in
fiscal court for the best interest of our district.
Comments