New political group in Louisville forms to help elect tough-on-crime judges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new political organization launched Wednesday in Louisville with the goal of electing judges who hold violent offenders accountable, citing a growing concern that some local judges release dangerous criminals back into the community. It's called Louisville Judges Watch.

“The Aug. 8 incident was a crystal-clear illustration of what’s been happening for far too long in this community,” said Iris Wilbur Glick, the group’s spokesperson. “Voters have the power to replace judges who fail to deliver justice.”

The Aug. 8 case referenced by the group involved a mother and her two children being kidnapped at knifepoint. Police said 32-year-old Armond Langford, on shock probation less than three years into a 14-year sentence, forced them to drive to a bank, threatened the mother’s life, and allegedly stabbed her before fleeing. WDRB spoke with Jennifer Strong, the mother, in August.

“I said to myself, this is it. This is what it feels like to die,” Strong told WDRB at the time. She added she wants to know how judges “sleep” knowing early releases led to such crimes.

Louisville Judges Watch said it was motivated by Strong’s story and plans to support candidates who enforce the law firmly, ensure violent offenders face real consequences, and deliver justice for victims. The organization calls itself nonpartisan but would not disclose who else is behind it.

Wilbur Glick said the group wants to bring more attention to judicial races, which typically receive less focus than partisan elections.

“We want to replicate that attention, maybe not at the same spending levels, but to provide voters with information,” Wilbur Glick said.

Some local judges, however, question the group’s approach. Retired Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Charles L. Cunningham Jr. said while he supports efforts to elect fair judges, he criticized the group’s messaging.

“If you respect the law, you do not seek election by saying you stand with any particular group or person,” Cunningham said. “Judges are not legislators. Doing the job of protecting the public is more complicated than simply locking accused folks up and throwing away the key – but I understand it makes for a good sound bite to get people mad and to generate donations. Judges already hold more folks in custody than we have jail and prison beds to house them. That’s a fact Louisville Judges Watch doesn’t want to talk about or raise money to fix."

Former Jefferson County Judge David Holton echoed similar concerns.

“Being tough on crime should just be one of the factors. You should look at whether the judge is fair to people,” he said. “Who’s going to judge the judge watch? Who’s going to make sure their criteria is fair? Everybody has an agenda.”

Louisville Judges Watch, formed under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, is tax-exempt and said it has already raised more than $25,000 in pledges. The group plans to be active in the 2026 judicial elections.

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