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Louisville special election pits opponent of LGBTQ causes against a queer candidate

LRC Public Information
/
Legislative Research Commission

Voters in Kentucky’s largest city will soon decide who succeeds retiring Democratic representative Reginald Meeks. If elected, the Democrat running to take over the seat would be the chamber’s only serving LGBTQ lawmaker.

Voters will face a stark choice at the polls – especially on LGBTQ-related issues.

Republican business owner Judy Martin Stallard told an ivoterguide.com questionnaire she strongly agrees that allowing “biological males” to compete on girls’ sports teams and into girls’ locker rooms “threatens children’s well-being.”

Stallard’s opponent is former ACLU lobbyist Keturah Herron, who identifies as queer. She told riotheartmediaher identity can help build bridges.

"Those are things that I've always let people know who I am and I think that, in a way, me being very open about who I am and my experiences has allowed me to build relationships," she said. "But it's going to be hard."

Herron played a close role in crafting Louisville’s ban on no-knock warrants in the wake of widespread outcry over the death of Breonna Taylor.

With voting districts in flux, voters can check with the Jefferson County Clerks Office to see if they are eligible to vote in the Tuesday contest.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.