Circuit Judge Lisa Whisman ordered two Breathitt County Sheriff candidates to appear in her courtroom on Thursday, July 16, to determine the eligibility of one of the men to be on the ballot.
Democratic Candidate Mike Wolfe and Republican Allen Sperry must appear for a hearing to determine whether Sperry meets the residency requirements to run for Breathitt County Sheriff.
The order to appear came after Sperry returned an answer for a request for judgment and objected to the notification process during a “motion hour” on July 10.
A challenge was filed on May 29 after Sperry advanced to the General Election. When he filed, Sperry listed his address as 85 Tyler Drive off Highway 15 at Kragon.
Questions arose about his eligibility following the May primary. Documents uncovered listed Sperry’s residence as Comal County, Texas, and appeared to show that he was a registered voter there. Texas voter registration records indicated that he was an active voter as of January 2026.
Sperry is currently listed in the top slot on the ballot as County Clerk Becky Watts explained at the Candidate Draw on June 4. Under Kentucky law, during a head-to-head contest between a Republican and Democrat, the party affiliate of the sitting President is listed first. Sperry, as a Republican candidate, will appear first on the General Election Ballot on November 3.
A motion was filed on June 22 requesting a Summary Judgment from Judge Whisman.
Both parties are scheduled to be in Breathitt Circuit Court on July 16.
If found not to meet the requirements, Sperry could be removed from the General Election ballot under Kentucky law.
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