UPDATED 11-9: While the election for district judge in Barren-Metcalfe counties was initially called for Kathyrn Thomas, the secretary of state’s website had Judge Gabe Pendleton being re-elected. The vote was 10,366 for Pendleton and 10,330 for Thomas.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.

EARLIER 10-8: GLASGOW — Barren and Metcalfe counties voted Tuesday to elect Kathryn Thomas of Glasgow as 43rd District judge.

Thomas, who served as assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Barren and Metcalfe counties between 2006 and 2009 and is currently in private practice, won with 10,510 votes to current District Judge Gabe Pendleton’s 10,147.

Thomas said Tuesday night that the campaign was stressful, especially when she was following the votes being added up minute by minute at home. 

“You devote a year to a campaign and it basically comes down to one 12-hour period,” she said.    

As district judge, Thomas said her main focus would be on “strik(ing) a balance between compassion and convictions,” especially when it comes to drug offenders.

She wants to use the district court as a way to reach criminal offenders early to prevent repeat convictions, she said.  

She believes in disciplining offenders early while also showing compassion, likening it to parents teaching their children. “I think that needs to be our priority,” she said.   

Pendleton has been served as 43rd District judge since March after being appointed after Judge John T. Alexander was appointed interim circuit judge.

Pendleton said Tuesday he was disappointed to not have been elected but has valued his time as the district court judge.

“I’m disappointed, but it was close and I’m glad, honored to have served as district judge here,” he said.

Campaigning has been difficult because his job is demanding and left him with little time for active campaigning, Pendleton said. 

“I worked the job as hard as I could work it and then when it was over I worked as hard as I could campaigning and obviously it just wasn’t quite enough,” he said.     

District judge is a difficult, busy job and he hopes Thomas is up to it, Pendleton said.

“I hope she learns quickly because it’s a busy job and you need someone competent to do it,” he said. 

The makeup of the Glasgow City Council was determined in Tuesday’s voting as well. The 12 candidates who will be serving on the council, in order of the number of votes received are:  

•Freddie Norris, 2,844 votes

•Marlin Witcher, 2,484 votes

•James “Happy” Neal, 2,482 votes

•Wendell Honeycutt, 2,461 votes

•Patrick Gaunce, 2,434 votes

•Jake Dickinson, 2,348 votes

•Stacy Norman Hammer, 2,337 votes

•Gary Oliver, 2,156 votes

•Chasity Lowery, 2,086 votes

•Brad Groce, 2,059 votes

•Greg Harris, 2,013 votes

•Marna Kirkpatrick, 1,991 votes

All except Gaunce, Harris and Kirkpatrick are incumbents.  

— Follow Daily News reporter Jackson French on Twitter @Jackson_French or visit bgdailynews.com.