Paducah elections · Candidate listing
Gerald Watkins
City Commissioners, City of Paducah (vote for up to four)
Party not listed
Election day:
Background
Watkins previously served four terms as a Paducah city commissioner and three terms as a Kentucky state representative. At the 2026 town hall, he described nearly three decades as an educator and almost two decades as a small-business owner.
Sources: The Paducah Sun
What the candidate has said
Statements are attributed to the linked sources.
Property taxes
Watkins supported reducing property taxes as much as possible and increasing the homestead exemption from just under $10,000 to at least $20,000. He said he was discussing possible legislation with his state senator; reported from the Oct. 15, 2026, candidate town hall.
The Paducah SunDiversity and equity
Watkins said he supported diversity, equity and inclusion, and supported revisiting efforts concerning the large Confederate flag along Interstate 24. Reported from the Oct. 15, 2026, candidate town hall.
The Paducah SunBody cameras
Watkins said body cameras are a useful law-enforcement tool and suggested requiring a warrant to access body-camera footage. Reported from the Oct. 15, 2026, candidate town hall.
The Paducah Sun
Also running for City Commissioners, City of Paducah (vote for up to four)
See the listed candidates for City Commissioners, City of Paducah (vote for up to four)