Anthony Willett
Republican · KY · Henderson County Jailer
Anthony Willett was appointed Henderson County Jailer in July 2026 after serving as a sheriff's lieutenant and detention center major. He is a Marine veteran and has worked on staff training and jail operations.
Where Anthony Willett stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Public Safety and Crime Control (5 records)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Asked the Fiscal Court for permission to seek bids for a new jail food and store vendor. He said the current vendor had stopped paying the jail for vegetables it grew for inmate meals. The court agreed unanimously.
August 25, 2026Supports Government Efficiency
Source: hendersoncountyky.gov
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 5 support
Fixed 8 of 29 problems found by a federal audit of the jail's inmate-safety rules (known as PREA), a jail release said.
September 2, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Won state approval to start two new inmate therapy classes on Sept. 1. The Kentucky Department of Corrections cleared the courses, which focus on changing thinking habits and healing from trauma.
September 2, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Raised required training for new jail staff to 80 hours, up from 16 to 32 hours before. The training covers CPR, first aid, pepper spray, Tasers, and calming tense situations.
September 2, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Ended the practice of letting inmates walk the jail halls alone. Inmates now must have a deputy with them when they leave their housing area.
September 1, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: spectrumnews1.com
Met with local employers and River Valley Behavioral Health about hiring people after they leave jail. The meeting was part of his push to line up jobs for inmates before release.
August 21, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: 14news.com
Track record — General
General · 4 records
Cut prices at the jail store where inmates buy goods (commissary). Before the change, a tube of Colgate toothpaste cost $14 there.
September 2, 2026
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Replaced most of the jail's top administrators after taking office. Nobody was fired or had pay cut, but some staff moved to lower-ranking jobs.
September 2, 2026
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Asked the county governing board (Fiscal Court) to update the pay ranges for jail staff. The board approved the new pay ranges (Resolution 26-20) by a unanimous voice vote.
July 7, 2026
Source: hendersoncountyky.gov
Took office as Henderson County Jailer on July 1, 2026. He was sworn in to finish the last six months of retired Jailer Bruce Todd's term.
July 1, 2026
Source: the-hendersonian.com
Past race Anthony Willett ran in:
- Henderson County Jailer · November 3, 2026 · Henderson County, Kentucky · incumbent