SHEPHERDSVILLE – It was an evening that candidates who will be opposed on the upcoming May 12 ballot had the opportunity to make their case on why they should get the voters’ support.
The political forum, sponsored by the Bullitt County Chamber of Commerce and The Pioneer News and hosted by Paroquet Springs Conference Centre, saw the candidates for the 49th House of Representatives seat and the office of Commonwealth Attorney answer a few questions.
The candidates are on the Republican ticket and the only Democratic race in May involves a contest for U.S. Congress.
49th District House
Incumbent Thomas Huff said he hoped people could look at his record and decide that he has been successful in bringing funds back to Bullitt County.
Running for a third two-year term, Huff said that after having $40 million and $80 million in appropriations the first two budgets, the next will bring another $80 million, much of that coming in the area of transportation improvements.
That doesn’t count the $25 million appropriated for a new cancer center by U of L Health.
With his experience, Huff said that allows for him to serve on better committees, such as economic development and transportation.
In terms of education, Huff said that the state’s new budget provided record funding for the teacher retirement program. And the SEEK funding was also increased and local districts can determine how the added money is spent, including employee pay raises.
When asked how to increase the voter interest in elections, Huff said the state has already done part of that by allowing more pre-election day voting opportunities. He would love to see more people participate in the election process but he felt the state is doing everything it can.
Given an opportunity to state why voters should support him, Huff said, “My record speaks for itself. I’m always working hard.”
He said the Republicans in Frankfort continue to decrease the personal income tax with the ultimate goal of reaching 0 percent.
When he files bills, Huff said they are to help improve the value of life, including the lowering of taxes.
Huff said that making the county and the state a better place to live is a key and those are issues he will continue to support in Frankfort.
William “Bill” Harned is a native of Bullitt County who promised that he would be the voice of the people in Frankfort.
Growing up working on the family farm and then in the family business, Harned said his goal is to serve the people and to bring as much money as possible back to the county.
A wide variety of experience, Harned is also a land surveyor and a pilot. He has also made numerous trips to Washington and Frankfort as part of his role with organizations like the Soil Conservation District.
“I can deal with people,” said Harned. “I will listen to people.”
Harned said that while he might not always agree with the views of his constituents, it is his obligation and desire to listen and see if they might have logical solutions to the issue.
He joked that dealing with retail customers in farm and feed business gave him the ability to listen to people and arrive at solutions.
In terms of education support from the state, Harned said he grew up in a home where his mother was a teacher for 35 years.
He would like to see the state have more auditors on staff so that they can look at the financial situations throughout the state, not only Jefferson County.
In getting more voter interest in elections, Harned said he would lead by example.
He said that younger people must get involved. And those who do vote need to get educated on the candidates. He was not pleased that a vast majority of voters from both parties pencil in the single box – straight ticket.
In making his pitch for a person’s vote on May 21, Harned said that he has seen a lot of changes in Bullitt County during his life.
“I will work to make sure that as much money as possible comes back to Bullitt County.”
He said he is open minded to all ideas and he will have an open door policy at all times.
With his experience, Harned believes he would be an effective voice for Bullitt County.
‘I will try to get everything possible for this county,” said Harned. “I think I can do a really good job.”
Commonwealth’s Attorney
With incumbent Bailey Taylor not seeking a second term, a pair of newcomers to the political scene will be on the ballot.
Nathan Batey, currently an assistant Bullitt County attorney, and Amanda Hernandez Troutman, a current Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney, will be on the May ballot. There is no Democratic contender in the fall.
Batey said he fell in love with Bullitt County in 2010 and felt the Commonwealth Attorney’s office had made some great strides in 2018. A change in administration meant a change in his role. He’s served both in Jefferson and Bullitt County, where he currently serves as an assistant for Tammy Baker.
His philosophy is that people should be punished for the crimes they commit. While an advocate of rehabilitation when the situation warrants it, Batey said that people need to be held accountable for their actions.
He feels the number of indictments have dropped significantly over the past few years and that he would make sure that those who need to be charged with crimes, will.
That includes taking more crimes more seriously in the court system.
An important role of the commonwealth attorney should be communication with both the victims and the law enforcement officials. Batey said both need to be part of the decision-making process.
In terms of the recently adopted Safer Kentucky law, Batey said it is good to see enhanced penalties for some crimes. While locals may not consider car jacking to be something they must worry about, Batey said it is coming.
He wants to be tough on crime so those in Jefferson County don’t think they can move their criminal activities to Bullitt.
Troutman said that her entire career has been spent as a prosecutor. She serves with the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney’s office and has seen every type of felony case in her 10 years with the agency.
She agreed that there is no place for a slap on the wrist.
“There has to be accountability,” said Troutman.
She said that when her family decided to settle in Mount Washington it was with the desire to have a safe community. By more strictly enforcing the laws, she said that would go a long way in ensuring that safe place to live in Bullitt County.
Troutman agreed with the passage of House Bill 5 and felt that there might be a time for rehabilitation but there is also a place for letting criminals know that they will have to serve the time when they break the law.
She felt that communications is a key with both the law enforcement officers and the victims. Her husband is a Metro Louisville police officer.
The candidate also felt there needs to be as much training as possible for everyone involved in the system.
Given the opportunity to tell the audience the reason they deserved their vote, both candidates displayed their passion for the job.
“I want to do good things for our community,” said Troutman.
She said that her experience has prepared her to serve as the commonwealth attorney.
“I’ve done everything you could in this office,” said Troutman.
She said that experience in felony cases handled in circuit court makes her the best candidate for the position.
“No one will say I’m not working my butt off,” said Troutman. “We believe in this community. We just want to make Bullitt County better.”
Batey said he works in Bullitt County every day to make it a better place.
He also said that his experience in both Bullitt and Jefferson counties makes him the best candidate for the position.
He also said he presents a unique perspective to the job. With family members who were victims of domestic violence and with brothers who have dealt with drug addiction issues, Batey said he knows the problems surrounding those issues on a very personal level.
That is one reason why he understands that treatment of addictions is important; however, there are times when that person must be held accountable for the crimes he or she has committed.
Griffee unopposed in House 26th
For his second and third election of 2024, Peyton Griffee will have no worry about opposition.
Having recently won an unopposed special election for the 26th House seat, Griffee has no GOP opposition in the primary for a full two-year term. And there is no Democratic nominee in the fall.
Griffee got to experience the final week of the past General Assembly session and is ready to begin his work during the interim session.
He was able to vote on bills relating to a record road budget for Bullitt County, as well as the Safer Kentucky Act and funding for the U of L Brown Cancer Center to be built in Hillview.
Griffee said that his door is always open to his constituents in both Bullitt and Hardin counties.