Patrick Ryan Bailey has won the Boone County District 2 GOP primary, defeating challenger Bill Price.
Incumbent Bailey, first elected in 2022, is a sworn police officer and field training officer in Preble County, Ohio. He lives in Boone County with his family.
Price has a background as a firefighter and EMT, and has operated a business in Boone County for more than two decades.
A Kentucky constable is an elected peace officer whose primary duty is to serve legal documents, including eviction notices, subpoenas, and court summonses.
Although the state constitution grants them broad arrest powers and jurisdiction across counties, many constables—especially in Northern Kentucky—function mainly in limited roles focused on documentation. Click here to learn more about what a constable does in Kentucky.
Bailey told LINK nky before the election that he first ran for office amid changes to Kentucky law that limited the authority of constables who haven’t completed a state police academy. He told LINK those changes caused confusion about the role and highlighted the need for someone who understands both law enforcement and the legal boundaries of the position. Essentially, Bailey wanted to protect the integrity of the office.
“One of the most important issues is maintaining strong public trust and ensuring that residents feel safe and supported in their community,” he told LINK . “Clear communication and accessibility are key, especially when it comes to understanding how local roles function and where to turn for help.”
This time around, his campaign for re-election was centered on maintaining consistency in the office and continuing to demonstrate a professional approach to the role.
Price, when speaking with LINK ahead of the election, said promoting public safety would be one of his priorities if elected.
“I’m very big on public safety, very big on teaching people to take their own safety and be very concerned about it and pay attention and protect themselves,” he said.
Price said his decision to run for constable stemmed from a budding interest in politics spurred by his granddaughter, whom he wanted to make proud. Furthermore, Price said he was driven by concerns about how the office is used and perceived, acknowledging that constables are often overlooked and underutilized.