For the first time in Kentucky history, a woman is the leader of a legislative caucus in the state legislature — AND, the leadership team of three includes two women for the first time as well, joining the African American representative already serving.
From the Democratic caucus press release:
As the new House Democratic Floor Leader, State Representative Joni Jenkins replaces former Leader Rocky Adkins, who resigned this month to become the senior advisor in Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration. The Shively legislator, who has served in the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1995, joined the leadership team a year ago, when she became Caucus Whip and the second woman ever to be a House Democratic leader.
The caucus then selected Rep. Angie Hatton, District 94 Kentucky House of Representatives of Whitesburg to take on the House Democratic Whip role. An attorney and a former journalist, she was first elected to the House in 2016.
State Representative Derrick Graham, who last year became the first African-American to serve as a House Democratic leader, completes the three-person leadership team.
“I am humbled by the caucus’ support and look forward to serving them and all of Kentucky in the months ahead,” said Leader Jenkins, who was elected by the caucus without opposition. “We have amazing members and a strong agenda as we head into the 2020 legislative session, and we look forward to working with Governor Andy Beshear and our legislative colleagues across the aisle and in the Senate to move Kentucky forward.
“Becoming the first woman to lead a caucus as a floor leader means a lot to me, as well,” she added, “because it is vitally important that women have a greater opportunity to serve in these roles. Hopefully the caucus’ decision today to elect Angie and me will inspire many other women to pursue leadership roles in their fields, too.”
In her remarks, Rep. Hatton said that “I have dedicated most of my life trying to help others, and the highlight of that work has been my time as a legislator. I am excited about this new role and can’t wait to do whatever else I can to help our caucus and all of Kentucky succeed. We have a lot of issues that need to be addressed, but we also have a lot of great ideas on how to improve them.”
After the election, Speaker of the House David Osborne released this statement:
On behalf of members of the House Majority Caucus, I would like to congratulate Rep. Joni Jenkins and Rep. Angie Hatton on their historic victories in the minority caucus’ leadership elections. We look forward to working with both to move our commonwealth forward. While we may have political differences, there is certainly a mutual respect and understanding that our first priority must be the people of Kentucky.
And Ben Self, chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, said this:
Today is a historic day for our commonwealth and the Kentucky Democratic Party. Congratulations to Minority Floor Leader Joni Jenkins for being the first woman to lead either party’s caucus, as well as to Caucus Chair Derrick Graham and Minority Whip Angie Hatton on their elections. Today, Democrats broke new ground in not only Leader Jenkins’ election, but in electing two women to leadership positions. It’s great seeing a diverse leadership team leading House Democrats in Kentucky.
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