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Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Successor: Stephanie A. Dietz

Predecessor: Arnold Simpson

Charles Wheatley (Democratic Party) (also known as Buddy) was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing District 65. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. He left office on January 1, 2023.

Wheatley (Democratic Party) ran for election for Kentucky Secretary of State. He lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Wheatley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Charles "Buddy" Wheatley was born in Covington, Kentucky. Wheatley earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor's degree in English and law degree from Northern Kentucky University. Wheatley’s career experience includes working as a labor and employment attorney, the fire chief of the City of Covington, Kentucky, and a telecommunications specialist with FedEx.^[1]^[2]

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021-2022

Wheatley was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Wheatley was assigned to the following committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2023

See also: Kentucky Secretary of State election, 2023

General election

General election for Kentucky Secretary of State

Incumbent Michael Adams defeated Charles Wheatley and Ken Moellman in the general election for Kentucky Secretary of State on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Adams (R)	60.6	785,237
		Charles Wheatley (D)	39.4	510,090
		Ken Moellman (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)	0.0	518

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,295,845
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Charles Wheatley advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky Secretary of State.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kentucky Secretary of State

Incumbent Michael Adams defeated Stephen L. Knipper and Allen Maricle in the Republican primary for Kentucky Secretary of State on May 16, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Adams	63.9	171,391
		Stephen L. Knipper	26.5	70,991
		Allen Maricle	9.6	25,771

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 268,153
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wheatley in this election.

2022

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Stephanie A. Dietz defeated incumbent Charles Wheatley in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephanie A. Dietz (R)	51.0	6,912
		Charles Wheatley (D)	49.0	6,629

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,541
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Charles Wheatley advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Stephanie A. Dietz advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65.

2020

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Incumbent Charles Wheatley defeated J. Davis in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Charles Wheatley (D)	60.5	9,446
	Submit photo	J. Davis (R)	39.5	6,173

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,619
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Charles Wheatley advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. J. Davis advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65.

2018

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Charles Wheatley defeated Jordan Huizenga and Alyssa Dara McDowell in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Charles Wheatley (D)	58.8	6,045
		Jordan Huizenga (R)	37.4	3,848
	Submit photo	Alyssa Dara McDowell (Independent)	3.8	389

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,282
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Charles Wheatley advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Charles Wheatley

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65

Jordan Huizenga advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 on May 22, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Jordan Huizenga

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Charles Wheatley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wheatley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a fourth generation Covington firefighter, and I served my community for 20 years. Along with my brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, our family represents nearly 100 years of firefighting service to the people of Covington.

I finished my firefighting career serving as Fire Chief of the Covington Fire Department from 2005-2008. I attended NKU’s Salmon P. Chase Law School while serving as Fire Chief, eventually launching a career as a solo labor attorney, working on behalf of public sector labor unions. I was elected as a State Representative in 2018, and I was proud to work on stabilizing our pensions and increasing access to the polls.

I’m running for Kentucky Secretary of State because I believe that our elections should be free and fair. Kentucky is one of the hardest places in the country to vote, and I want to be a leader focused on making it easier to vote and increasing voter turnout. I’m also a proud husband, father and grandfather. My wife, Dr. Judi Godsey Wheatley, our two daughters and our granddaughter mean the world to me.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Kentucky is one of the hardest places in the country to vote, and I want to change that. I will advocate to keep our polls open until 7PM - right now, we’re closing the doors on working families at 6PM.
We need to increase the number of polling locations. My opponent drastically reduced the number of polling places across the state during the 2022 election, and we saw the lowest voter turnout in 3 decades. I think that’s wrong, and I won’t let it happen under my watch.
I want to allow Independents and 3rd party voters to participate in our primaries. This will ensure our candidates in the general election are more representative of the entire Kentucky electorate, and it will increase civic engagement.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about making it easier for working Kentuckians to vote. I was able to work on this during my time in the state legislature, and I’m ready to get back to work on behalf of all Kentuckians as the next Secretary of State. I believe our democracy is strongest and most representative when we have the most people voting as possible, and I will be a Secretary of State focused on increasing voter turnout.
Please answer one of the following questions on your personal history

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The Secretary of State in Kentucky is the chief elections official for the state. This is a vitally important function, and we need someone who is ready to work full-time to increase civic engagement and voter turnout. Kentucky is 40th in the country in voter turnout. I’m ready to work with Governor Andy Beshear to fix this and ensure every Kentucky voter is able to make their voice heard.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mom and dad inspired me, provided for a family of 14, and did so lovingly and inclusively. I’m one of 12 children, and my mom and dad worked tirelessly to provide for us all. I’m a fourth generation firefighter, and I grew up watching my mom work full time running a tool and dye operation, and my dad in the fire service. My mom and dad instilled in me the importance of caring for others and public service, and I’ll always be grateful to them for that.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think the core principles for someone elected to office is dedication and accountability. I’m ready to put aside my law firm to be a full-time Secretary of State for Kentucky. My opponent is the sitting Secretary of State, and he’s continued to work as managing partner of a partisan, national, political law firm. I’m ready to work on the issues year-round, and I will be fully dedicated.

I also think it’s important to be accountable for your actions and your work. My opponent started saying it’s not the job of the Secretary of State to increase voter turnout, because the first election he was the Chair of the Board of Elections, he drastically reduced the number of polling locations, leading to the lowest voter turnout in Kentucky in 3 decades. I will work year-round on these issues, and I won’t back down when it’s hard.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m a dedicated public servant who doesn’t shy away from the issues. As a firefighter, you don’t ask if someone is a Republican or a Democrat - you respond to the call and run into the fire to get the job done. I’m ready to take that same attitude to the Secretary of State’s office - our democracy is smoldering, and I’ll put out the fire.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Autobiography of Frederick Douglas is my current favorite book. As a first-hand account of the cruelties of American slavery, the clarity and stark realities of his narrative helped bring about the abolitionist movement that ended slavery and created a truer vision of what America truly stands for.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

I think the most important job of the Secretary of State is to increase voter turnout. My opponent has said that voter turnout is not the job of the Secretary of State, and I couldn’t disagree more. Kentuckians need a leader in Frankfort fighting to increase voter access, and I’m ready to take on that job.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Kentucky Secretary of State also oversees the state’s business filings. Right now, Kentucky is experiencing historic economic development and job creation, and the business portal needs to be updated. There’s a backlog in business filings, and the website is overly complicated. Our state’s economy is moving forward, and we need the Secretary of State’s office to keep up.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Charles Wheatley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Charles Wheatley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Kentucky

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Kentucky scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2022

In 2022, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 14.

Americans for Prosperity Kentucky

Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy.

Greater Louisville Inc.

Legislators from the Louisville area are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

The Family Foundation of Kentucky

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 5 to March 30.

Greater Louisville Inc.

Legislators from the Louisville area are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Kentucky Comeback: Senate and House

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported by the organization.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 15.

Greater Louisville Inc.

Legislators from the Louisville area are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 29.

Greater Louisville Inc.

Legislators from the Louisville area are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

See also

External links

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Candidate

Kentucky Secretary of State

Personal

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Arnold Simpson (D)	Kentucky House of Representatives District 65 2019-2023	Succeeded by Stephanie A. Dietz (R)

v • e 2023 state executive official elections

Governor	Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi

Lieutenant Governor	Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi

Attorney General	Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi

Secretary of State	Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi

Treasurer	Kentucky • Louisiana • Mississippi

Auditor	Kentucky • Mississippi

Commissioners	Kentucky (agriculture) • Louisiana (agriculture) • Louisiana (insurance) • Mississippi (agriculture) • Mississippi (insurance) • Mississippi (public service) • Mississippi (transportation)

Education officials	Louisiana (board of education)

	v • e State of Kentucky Frankfort (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
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