Judge/Executive

About the Judge/Executive:
Swanson graduated from the Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2017 and graduated as summa cum laude from Murray State University.

Swanson was previously a reporter with the Livingston Ledger. She also worked in both the Livingston County and Marshall County School Districts before she began law school.

Swanson is also an active member in the community. She was elected to the Kentucky Justice Association Board of Governors for 2022 and re-elected in 2023. She also serves as the 2022-2023 McCracken County Bar Association Secretary and Treasurer, and was nominated in 2023 as a Young Leader of Western Kentucky.

About the Role of Judge/Executive:
The Judge/Executive is responsible for running the executive branch of the county, including overseeing day-to-day operations and managing its departments and personnel. The Judge/Executive also has a vote as a member of the Fiscal Court-the county's legislative arm. The Livingston County Fiscal Court has five members-the Judge/Executive and four magistrates, each representing their own geographical district. The Fiscal Court is responsible for handling the budget and passing ordinances. Many of the Judge/Executive's powers require the Fiscal Court's approval (through a majority vote).

Ideally, the Judge/Executive job has another critical component-serving as the county's ambassador on the local, regional, state, and federal level. In this role, he or she establishes and maintains relationships with other agencies and governments.

Detailed and specific duties and functions of the Judge/Executive can be found in KRS 67.710.