Jackie Steele Nominated as Republican Candidate for Commonwealth Attorney

Above Photo: Left to Right – Bryan Mills, Laurel County Republican Chairman, Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele, State Senator and 5th District Republican Chairman Tom Jensen, and County Clerk and Knox County Republican Chairman Mike Corey.

On Saturday, July 12th the Executive Committees of the Laurel and Knox County Republican Parties met to nominate their candidate for Commonwealth Attorney for this November’s election. Both committees unanimously nominated Jackie Steele as the Republican Nominee for the general election this November.

“Jackie Steele has been Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for over five years, and I feel he will do a fantastic job as our Commonwealth Attorney.” said Knox County Clerk and Republican Chairman Mike Corey.

Kentucky Election Law states that if a vacancy for Commonwealth Attorney happens after a Primary Election and the governor appoints someone to that position both the Republican and Democrat parties of the counties affected can override that governor’s appointment by selecting their own nominee for the November Election.

“Democrat Governor Steve Bashear could have selected any number of local Democrats to fill this appointment for Knox and Laurel, but in the end he went with a good hard working Republican like Jackie Steele and that made our nomination process a lot easier.”, said Laurel County Republican Chairman Bryan Mills.

The Republican Party of Kentucky rules state that the executive committee of each county jointly meet in a special session called by the 5th Congressional District Republican Party Chairman, who is currently State Senator Tom Jensen of London.

The numbers of votes for each county were determined by the number of registered Republican votes at the close of the books for the 2007 General Election. Knox County had 14,245 registered Republican voters at that time and Laurel County had 28,958 registered Republican voters.

The results will become finalized at they are reviewed and approved by the Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections.

Steele on the Ballot - Sentinel Echo

Steele to Represent Republican Party - The Times Tribune

Laurel County Republican Jarrad Hensley Joins White House Staff

Many parents dream of their children someday working in the White House, and one Laurel County native has achieved just that. Jarrad Hensley of London is the son of Nick and Connie Hensley, and he was recently hired as an editor in Presidential Correspondence for the Bush Administration.

“I was born and raised in London, Kentucky and from the get-go, I was instilled with the conservative principles of the Republican Party. My political maturation was fostered through guidance of both of my parents who belong to the Republican Party in addition to my sister Amber, who worked in Frankfort for the Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher.” said Hensley.

Jarrad began his political interests when he attended Georgetown College, and became a member of the College Republicans.

“In college I took advantage of the various political organizations, and this was helpful in persuading me to officially major in what I quickly was becoming to love, political science.” stated Hensley.

In college he interned in Frankfort for 17th District Republican State Senator Damon Thayer in the 2007 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

After college Jarrad moved to Washington D.C., where he worked as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator and Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell.

He then soon after accepted an offer to join the White House as an editor in Presidential Correspondence, and also currently works as a presidential campaign volunteer for John McCain.

“Jarrad Hensley is a prime example of the future that the Republican Party. He makes all of Laurel County proud to call him one of our own.” said Laurel County Republican Chairman Bryan Mills.

Laurel County Republican Party Attends Statewide Convention, Sends Largest Delegation from the 5th Congressional District

On Saturday, June 7th the Laurel County Republican Party attended the Kentucky Republican Party Convention in Bowling Green, Kentucky at the Sloan Convention Center.

The purpose of the convention was to elect the delegates to attend the National Republican Party Convention that will be held later this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Of the 27 Counties that make up the 5th Congressional District, the Laurel County Republican Party sent the largest number of delegates than any other attending county in Southeastern Kentucky. There were 28 Laurel Republicans attending, and 18 of which were official delegates to the convention.

“The statewide conventions are an important part of our democray and the nomination process for our Republican Presidential Candidate, and I am very proud so many Laurel Republicans turned out to support the party.”, said Laurel County Republican Party Chairman Bryan Mills.

Pictured are some of the conventions attendees from left to right: Bryan Mills (Laurel County Republican Party Chairman), Don McFadden, Russell Burgin, James Barnett, Carla Handy, Jason Handy, Jonathan Durham, Molly Barnett, J.L. Albright (Asst. County Attorney), Connie Depew, Jackie Steele, Sr., Donna McClure (Sen. McConnell Field Rep), Jackie Steele (Commonwealth Attorney), Karen Wyan, Casey Taylor, Joyce Garland Parker (Laurel County PVA), Jackie Mills, Wes Harville, Jonathan McClure, Debbie Harville, Regina Crawford, and Gary Parker.

Laurel Republican Joins Republican National Committee Chairman's Staff

Kevin Smith, a native of Laurel County, has joined the staff of Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan as the Special Assistant to the Chairman.

Mr. Duncan, a 30-year political strategist and veteran of Republican politics from Inez, Ky., in Martin County was elected as the 60th Chairman of the RNC in January 2007.

In January 2008, Kevin transitioned from a position in Kentucky’s Senior U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell to work as the RNC Chairman's Special Assistant.

“Kevin’s dedication and skills make him an integral part of my team. It is a true pleasure working with Kevin and I know he has a long successful career ahead of him.” said RNC Chairman Mike Duncan.

Kevin is a 24-year-old Laurel Countian, who was born in Manchester, Ky., and is a 2006 graduate of Union College in Barbourville, where he majored in accounting and business administration.

At Union, Kevin accumulated many national honors for his baseball accomplishments and his academic achievements. In addition, he was Chairman of the College Republicans and President of Phi Beta Lambda Business Club. He also worked during his Christmas breaks at National City Bank in London, and is a member of First Baptist of London.

After graduation from Union, he interned for U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers in Washington, D.C. He then went on to the University of Kentucky to obtain his M.B.A. with an emphasis in finance. While in Lexington, he volunteered on several state-wide campaigns and interned during the 2007 Legislative Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

After completing his master’s degree this past June, Kevin had the opportunity to serve Senator McConnell in his Washington, D.C., office working as his Legislative Correspondent on agriculture and energy issues.

Kevin attended the 2005 Presidential Inauguration of George W. Bush, as well as, the 2006 and 2007 Presidential State of the Union Addresses. In his new post at the RNC, Kevin travels the country assisting Chairman Duncan. This year he has traveled from Beverly Hills, Calif., to Portland, Maine, and from Kalispell, Mont., to Dallas, Texas, meeting with Republican candidates and donors.

In fact, he has recently just returned from a trip where he spent time with President Bush in his hometown of Crawford, Texas. He is looking forward to attending the 2008 Kentucky Republican State Convention this June in Bowling Green and the Republican National Convention this September in Minneapolis, Minn.

“Kevin Smith makes Laurel County proud, and is a rising star in the Republican Party. We hope he brings this energy and determination back to Southeastern Kentucky.” said Laurel County Republican Chairman Bryan Mills.