Boone County Commissioner Chet Hand launched his general election campaign for Judge/Executive on Aug. 27, at a fundraiser in Burlington.

Hand, who represents District 2 on the Fiscal Court, held the kickoff event at the Little Britain Carriage House on Idlewild Road from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Boone County Republican Party promoted the event on social media, calling on supporters to rally behind their nominee heading into November.

Hand defeated longtime incumbent Gary Moore in the May 19 Republican primary, according to his campaign's Facebook page. Moore has served as Judge/Executive, the county's top elected official, presiding over the Fiscal Court and its $282 million all-funds budget for the current fiscal year.

No Democratic candidate filed for the seat, according to the Boone County Clerk's 2026 candidate list. That list, published in January, leaves Hand without a major-party opponent on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Whether any independent or write-in candidates have since entered the race could not be confirmed from available records.

Hand filed for the race on Nov. 5, 2025, per the Clerk's candidate list. He has run on the slogan "Boone County Residents FIRST" and hosts weekly "Chats with Chet" community events as part of his outreach.

In an Aug. 20 Facebook post promoting the kickoff, Hand's campaign said it built strong grassroots support during the primary and urged residents to get involved before the general election.

Hand's campaign has also announced endorsements from Commissioner Cathy Flaig, Commissioner Jesse Brewer and retired State Sen. John Schickel, the Republican nominee for the open District 2 commission seat.

The general election is Nov. 3. Boone County residents can check their voter registration and find polling locations through the Boone County Clerk's office.