Pike County, Kentucky

Pike County Magistrate District 5

3 candidates are tracked for Pike County Magistrate District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joshua Mayhorn, Hilman Dotson and Earl Thacker. Candidate information follows official Pike County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Three-way contest: Joshua Mayhorn (R) faces Hilman Dotson (D) and independent Earl Thacker on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Kentucky Secretary of State's county candidate filing list. Dotson is described in local coverage as a former Pike County magistrate, though not currently listed on the county's own commissioners roster page.

What this office does

Justice of the peace. Justices of the peace handle the lowest-level court matters: small claims, evictions, traffic and minor criminal cases, and, in some states, marriages and inquests. The office is part of the judiciary, so candidates are limited in what they may promise.

Kentucky › Pike County › Pike County Magistrate District 5

Joshua Mayhorn

Republican

Biography

Joshua Mayhorn filed to run for Pike County Magistrate District 5, per Mountain Top Media. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Hilman Dotson

Democratic

Biography

Hilman Dotson previously served for many years as Pike County's District 5 magistrate before the office was reorganized as a commissioner seat, per News-Express. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Earl Thacker

Independent

Biography

Earl Thacker appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pike County Magistrate District 5, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotPike County Magistrate District 6

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Pike County Magistrate District 5 in 2026?

When is the Pike County Magistrate District 5 election in Kentucky?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Kentucky are on the Kentucky election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Pike County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Pike County and state election office filings, last verified October 2, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Kentucky election office, or see the full Pike County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Pike County ballot

27 tracked races in Pike County, Kentucky. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Pike County Constable District 2 Pike County Constable District 3 Pike County Constable District 4 See all 27 Pike County races

Candidate profiles

Joshua Mayhorn, full profile Hilman Dotson, full profile Earl Thacker, full profile Official Kentucky election office