Following the elections for various offices in early November, Kentucky House Democrats chose Pam Stevenson to lead them in the next legislative session. Stevenson is a representative from the 43rd House District which is centered on the border of Louisville and Indiana. She has been in the Kentucky State House since 2021, and will be the first black woman to hold the position.
The decision came following the retirement of Derrick Graham (D), representative from the 57th district and the first black man to be elected to House Leader. Graham has been a house leader since 2023 and has been in the Kentucky House since 2003.
Following the decision on Nov. 22, Stevenson said in a press release that “I want to thank my fellow caucus members for their support and look forward to working with them, Gov. Andy Beshear, and our legislative colleagues from across the aisle.” She followed by saying, “We may be a new leadership team, but we are as committed as ever to pursuing our timeless goals of building on the commonwealth’s many successes while better ensuring that all citizens are able to enjoy that prosperity.”
Along with Stevenson, Democrats chose Rep. Al Gentry, the representative from the Louisville-based 46th district since 2017, as her Minority Caucus Chair. Following the decision, Gentry said in a press release that “I have been proud to be part of this caucus for the last eight years, and it means a lot to be selected for this new role.” The representative concluded by saying, “Our legislative priorities have significant public support, from raising the minimum wage to providing significantly more funding for public education.”
The party also chose Lindsey Burke, the representative from the 75th district, as the State House Minority Whip. Burke, who was reelected to her second term this November, is the only Lexington-based representative in Democratic leadership in the chamber. Following the decision electing her to Minority Whip, Burke stated “I have dedicated most of my life to helping others, and it means so much that I now have a chance to step up and take on this important responsibility.”
The decisions to replace the positions followed the defeat of Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, a representative from the north-Lexington-based 88th district and the incumbent House Minority Caucus Chair, in this year’s election. Rep. Rachael Roberts, the incumbent House Minority Whip from the 67th district, decided to retire instead of running for re-election this year.
Rep. Pam Stevenson and other leaders enter the chamber next term with just 19 members in their caucus compared to the Republicans’ 80 members, their lowest percentage of seats in the Commonwealth’s history. One Democrat, Rep. Daniel Grossberg from Louisville, was expelled from the party’s membership following reports by the Lexington Herald-Leader that he sexually harassed women during his time as a state representative. Because of this, he is not counted in the 19 representative caucus. Despite him being expelled from the party, Grossberg was still reelected this November, though it is still unknown what his role in the State House will be now.
Stevenson, Gentry and Burke will have these positions until the session ends in early 2027, where they will be up for re-election to the State House. If they are defeated or retire during the 2026 elections, the party will again have to find new leadership.
