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The General Assembly’s last remaining Democrat from Eastern Kentucky announced she will not seek reelection.
Instead, Rep. Ashley Tackett Laferty will run for district court judge. The Martin Democrat, who has represented the 95th House District since 2019, shared her decision in a New Year’s Day post on Facebook. She said she plans to serve the remainder of her term in the House.
She thanked her constituents for their support, and said some of her proudest accomplishments included backing funding for the Mountain Parkway Expansion through Prestonsburg and for straightening a road to John M. Stumbo Elementary School.
“In addition to serving as your State Representative, for over 20 years, I have worked as an attorney representing our local families,” Laferty wrote. “I hope my record of hard work, and always trying to do what’s right for my community, helps you to support me in this election, as well! Once again, I humbly ask for your trust and vote!”
Kentucky Democrats once held political strongholds throughout the Appalachian part of the state and began losing ground around the start of the century. At present, Democrats have 20 seats in the state House to the Republicans’ 80.
Last year, the last remaining Eastern Kentucky Democrat in the Senate, Sen. Robin Webb of Grayson, switched parties. At the time, Webb said she joined the Republicans, not because she was leaving the Democratic Party, but “the party left me.”
In the 2024 election, Tackett received 56% of the vote, or 10,721 votes, over Republican Brandon Spencer, who received 8,330 votes, or 44%.
The 95th House District includes Floyd and part of Pike counties.
This article appears in Dec. 1-31, 2025.