Jim Shaw
General-election interview · recorded Fri, Sep 25, 2026
📹 Raw livestream →2026 Hardin County Race
Jim Shaw
On the November 3, 2026 ballot for Elizabethtown City Council. See the full race page.
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Hardin Local interview
In brief
In the candidate's own words
Shaw described six years of working for the City of E-town and although he supported much of what the city did, he saw some problems with wasteful spending and some of the policies that were in place. Shaw said his first priority would be asking the Planning Commission and Planning Department staff to review the comprehensive plan and scale back the changes made in 2022 to encourage more growth. With respect to the budget, Shaw said he would first look at requests involving large expenditures and demand a cost-benefit analysis. His next priority would be requests for new personnel. Shaw said he would like to begin scaling back the insurance tax, maybe from 8% to 7% in the first year.
Summary in the candidate's own words (Jim Shaw's email, Oct. 20, 2026), unedited; replaces the AI-generated summary at his request
In their words
No interview quotes have been added yet.
From the candidate
Bio · Submitted by the campaign, unedited
I am a native of Russellville, Kentucky and a graduate of Western Kentucky University and the University of Tennessee. I have worked for city and county governments for 29 years, mostly in land use planning, but also in economic development. My experience includes serving as a planning department director for three cities, including Elizabethtown. I have prepared and administered budgets, managed water and sewer construction projects, written ordinances, coordinated bond sales, and supervised and disciplined personnel. I know the day-to-day operations of local government from the inside and have seen practices that work and practices that don't work.
I wasn't blessed to be born in E'town, but when I moved here nearly nine years ago, it quickly felt like home. Living in other cities, smaller and larger, has given me a great appreciation for this community. While it is better than most cities, a few changes can make it the best. I want to use my experience to do that.
Priority 1 · Submitted by the campaign, unedited
Protecting private property rights, especially stopping the encroachment of commercial uses into established residential neighborhoods.
Priority 2 · Submitted by the campaign, unedited
Improving transparency so residents and business owners are better informed of the City’s activities and spending.
Priority 3 · Submitted by the campaign, unedited
Increasing financial efficiency by eliminating wasteful spending practices and reviewing taxes and fees.
Public record
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How this page was made
- Ballot facts. Name, party, office and ballot position come from the Hardin County Clerk’s candidate list for the November 3, 2026 general election.
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