LA GRANGE — Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller issued a public statement about the upcoming election. Judge Mueller has decided not to seek re-election when his term expires in January 2026.
Mueller stated, “To the residents of Fayette County: Prior to being elected to my four year term as county judge, I served for 28 years as justice of the peace. As a public servant, I have always attempted to be transparent. It is in this spirit that I announce that I will not seek re-election next year.
I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in my term as county judge. I was in my position 15 days when I was informed by the hospital administrator and the president of the hospital board that the hospital would be closing its doors.
Although the county judge’s office had no direct affiliation with the hospital, I knew that the closing of the hospital would have a negative impact on La Grange and our entire county. With the assistance of close friends, including the mayor of La Grange, I immediately began exploring ways to get a hospital opened in La Grange.
In October of 2023, EMS Director Josh Vandever and I met Quentin Whitwell. Whitwell is experienced in the rural health business. Vandever and I never gave up in our hope that Progressive Health was the right entity to open a hospital in La Grange. We overcame many obstacles, but finally, we were able to announce that Progressive Health will be opening and operating the facility under the name “Progressive Health of Fayette”.
I am proud to say that court administrator Cassie Austin, EMS Director Josh Vandever and I faced many challenges but are well on our way to making the opening of the hospital a reality. I expect that Progressive will open the doors of the hospital in the spring of next year.
I am also proud that we have been working to keep our county tax rate low, while the county continues to offer outstanding county services. In fact, we have lowered the county’s tax rate every year that I have been in office.
My last day in office will be Dec. 31, 2026. In retirement, I plan for my wife, Vi and I to do a bit of traveling and I plan to spend more time at KVLG KBUK.
Thank you, citizens of Fayette County, for allowing me the honor of serving as your county judge. I still believe that public service is a noble calling.
In closing this chapter as county judge I’d like to say that the person who succeeds me in this position will find this office as I found it.
By that, I mean the next county judge will inherit an excellent office staff and dedicated county employees who work tirelessly to make this the best county of the best state of the best nation in the world.”
