The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Power in Partnership Luncheon on Thursday, October 1. The program will feature a McCracken County Judge Executive Candidate Forum with candidates Mayor George Bray and Judge Executive Craig Clymer. This luncheon takes the place of the Chamber’s monthly breakfast and is sponsored by Paducah Bank.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m. at the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Center. Pre-registration is required by Monday, September 28 by noon at paducahchamber.org or call 270-443-1746. Monthly breakfast power card holders do not have to pre-register.  The cost for the luncheon is $25. 

This is an opportunity for area citizens to hear directly from the candidates for McCracken County Judge Executive and learn about their plans for the county as they answer business-related questions.

WPSD Local 6 will broadcast the forum live during their noon newscast and on Facebook.  The moderator is Todd Faulkner, Evening News Anchor at WPSD Local 6. Each candidate will be allowed to give opening and closing statements. Candidates will be asked multiple questions and given a time limit to respond.

George Bray has spent more than 40 years as a leader in both business and his community. Before entering public service, he held senior executive positions with a major Fortune 20 company, leading teams, managing complex operations and bringing people together to get results. In 2020, Bray was elected Paducah’s 40th Mayor and re-elected in 2024. Bray holds an MBA from The Ohio State University and a business degree from Indiana University.

Craig Clymer is in his second term as McCracken County Judge-Executive. He serves as Chair of the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization Board and serves on the boards of Greater Paducah Economic Development, the Paducah/McCracken County Industrial Development Authority and the Paducah Junior College Foundation. Clymer previously served as McCracken Circuit Judge from 1998 to 2017 and McCracken District Judge from 1993 to 1997. He also served as a staff attorney for the United States District Court and as a Paducah Police Department officer. Clymer holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement.

Attendees will be asked to follow these guidelines:

• No campaign banners, brochures, buttons, pins or other campaign materials or promotion activities will be permitted by attendees or candidates.
• Supporters must be respectful and courteous. No unruly behavior will be allowed. Those who do not follow these rules will be asked to leave.
• The audience will be asked to remain silent and to silence their phones during the Forum and to refrain from responding to any candidate’s answers or comments.