In May, incumbent Rep. Savannah Maddox (R-Dry Ridge) breezed through the Republican primary. Maddox, who is also running for governor, faces Democrat Debby Lucas Angel in the general election for House District 61.
Both candidates answered questions about their campaigns ahead of the election. Here are their answers, which have been edited for clarity.
Tell readers about your campaign
Savannah Maddox (SM): “From the time I was first entrusted with the role of state representative, I have sought to advocate boldly on behalf of the citizens I serve. I have always prioritized the needs of my district over the whims of special interest groups and lobbyists, and I have made it my mission to ensure that the People’s voices are heard loud and clear in Frankfort.”
Debby Lucas Angel (DLA): “I have a small, locally grown campaign. In January 2022, the Districts were redrawn, with the 61st being made more rural than ever before. In the 61st House District, we have the Beaver, Richwood, Union #3, Union #8, and Verona precincts in Boone County, all of Gallatin and Grant Counties, and the two Bracht precincts in Kenton County. A large portion of the area is unincorporated and/or farming, with our largest city being Williamstown in Grant County.
“I strive to stay within the 61st District so that not only can I hear from the folks here; they can know that I stand for and with them. Even when I am outside the District, I am there to represent the 61st, not myself or a personal agenda. I was raised rural, and I intend to represent rural.”
Why did you choose to run?
DLA: “Our District is not being served. A representative should represent ALL of a District, not a part or section. Plus, they should bring in revenue: jobs and business/industry, yes but also grants and low-interest loans that can be used to provide services for the District. The needs of the 61st deserve to be represented in Frankfort. This is not being done. It should be done therefore I run.”
SM: “I have accomplished several important legislative goals- making Kentucky a Constitutional Carry state, passing the Campus Free Speech bill, reining in Andy Beshear’s executive overreach, and putting a stop to unconstitutional mandates- but there is much more work that must be done to redefine the appropriate role of government in our lives.”
What will you bring to the table?
SM: “Transparency, accountability, and a refusal to back down on principle.”
DLA: “I bring my experience, knowledge, and abilities. I was raised farming. I am a product of public education. I retired from the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Department for Environmental Protection. In my career, I started as a part-time principal clerk typist in the Morehead Field Office, and I worked my way up through the environmental inspector series. I was the Environmental Control Supervisor of the Florence Field Office in the Division of Waste Management. As ECS, I achieved certification as a Kentucky Public Manager, which is a nationally recognized certification for managing in government.Â
“In my final two years, I served as Resource Management Analyst for the Division of Water, in which I managed the IT needs statewide for their over 300 users. The job entailed making sure users had the hardware, software, training, and programming necessary to run their systems. With this experience, I know how government works and doesn’t work, and I know right now our government isn’t working.”
How are you different from your opponent?
DLA: “My opponent has had four years to help the District. She has spent that time working to reduce gun control and demand “free speech space” on college campuses–we only have the Grant County Campus of NKU in the 61st District. As well she has continually disrupted the governor’s work to limit COVID exposure, confusing and conflating health and value issues with true governmental responsibilities by doing things such as promoting anti-vaxxing and anti-masking instead of working to provide services needed in the 61st.
“She has done little to nothing to address infrastructure, education, drug issues, and budgeting needs that are integral to the true responsibilities of a Representative of a District. I intend to work for and with the District for the betterment of our citizenry, not follow my personal agenda as I ignore my responsibilities.”
SM: “My opponent would be a rubber stamp for the liberal agendas of Joe Biden and Andy Beshear, as she has publicly advocated in favor of abortion, gun control, and vaccine mandates.Â
I am the only candidate who is 100% Pro-Life and endorsed by Kentucky Right to Life. Moreover, I am the only candidate who is 100% Pro-2nd Amendment with an A+ rating from the NRA. I have never voted in favor of a single tax increase or regulation of any kind, and I have the most conservative voting record in the entire General Assembly according to scores released by the American Conservative Union.”
To learn more about Savannah Maddox visit her gubernatorial website (the candidate doesn’t have a website for state rep). To learn more about Debby Lucas Angel visit her website.