News
Kentucky’s First Black Statewide Official Touts Outsider Story
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Jenean Hampton made history earlier this month when she became the first black person to win a statewide election in Kentucky.
Hampton is the lieutenant governor-elect along with Republican Gov.-elect Matt Bevin. The two were elected together on the same ticket. Hampton joins U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina as the only black statewide officeholders in the south. Both are Republicans.
Hampton grew up poor in Detroit but says her experiences shaped her conservative views. She served in the Air Force for seven years before moving to Bowling Green 13 years ago with her husband. She lost her job in 2012 and decided to focus on politics. She lost a race for the state House of Representatives in 2014. Hampton says she wants to focus on education and entrepreneurship.