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Cherlyn Smith

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Cherlyn Smith
Image of Cherlyn Smith
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Everest University, 2006

Personal
Religion
Christian
Profession
Technical writer
Contact

Cherlyn Smith (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kentucky House of Representatives to represent District 25. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Cherlyn Smith's career experience includes working as a technical writer. She earned a bachelor's degree from Everest University in 2006.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 25

Incumbent Steve Bratcher defeated Cherlyn Smith and Eric Parrish in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 25 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Steve Bratcher
Steve Bratcher (R)
 
62.8
 
11,792
Image of Cherlyn Smith
Cherlyn Smith (D) Candidate Connection
 
33.3
 
6,245
Eric Parrish (Independent)
 
4.0
 
744

Total votes: 18,781
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Cherlyn Smith advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 25.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Steve Bratcher advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 25.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smith in this election.

Pledges

Smith signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Cherlyn Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I am running for State Representative because I believe in our community's potential and am passionate about making a difference. My dedication to public service and extensive experience qualify me to address the challenges we face. My business experience includes serving as a Technical Writer and IT Auditor Consultant at TEK Systems for the past four years. From 2008 to 2022, I was a Hardin County small business owner, successfully operating a screen printing shop, event hall, and consulting firm, showcasing my entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to local economic growth. My public service record includes 21 years as a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator and Budget Officer with the Department of Defense. I focused on prevention programs and managed budgets, demonstrating my commitment to public health and fiscal responsibility. I also previously served as a Case Manager for the State of Florida in the Welfare Reform Program, helping individuals navigate the welfare system and achieve self-sufficiency. Since 2006, I have been active in this community with The Friends of the CAV 16th Cavalry Regiment (Fort Knox), the Family Readiness Group, Order of The Eastern Star Morning Glory #35, Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, the Hardin County Women’s Democratic Club, the Elizabethtown Garden Club, and the Radcliff Small Business Alliance. Together, we can create a brighter future for Hardin County and beyond, and I ask for your support and your vote to make this vision a reality.
  • In my professional and volunteer work, I have seen firsthand the critical importance of community health and wellness, driving my tireless advocacy for policies that support public health, such as increased funding for healthcare services, mental health programs, and preventive care initiatives. As your state representative, I will prioritize policies that ensure access to quality healthcare, promote preventive care, and support mental health services. Access to healthcare includes access to reproductive healthcare and the freedom to make our own decisions. I believe that a healthy community is a strong community, and I am committed to advocating for resources and initiatives that will improve our well-being.
  • Robust economic development is essential to create jobs and provide opportunities for all residents. With my background in both the public and private sectors, including running local businesses, I understand the challenges faced by small business owners and the importance of a thriving local economy. I will work to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and implement policies that foster economic growth and job creation. Improving our infrastructure, from roads and bridges to broadband internet, is essential for economic growth and attracting new businesses. I will work to develop a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and innovation.
  • Ensuring that every child has access to quality education is paramount. I strongly believe in public education and am committed to securing increased funding for our schools. I will fight for teachers--the backbone of our education system--for better salaries, resources, and the professional development opportunities they need to succeed. I will also advocate for improved facilities and the materials students need to be successful. My involvement with the VIVID Girls Mentoring Group reflects my dedication to youth empowerment and education. I will advocate for after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and extracurricular activities that support student growth and development.
In addition to the three areas I named above, I am passionate about investing in crime prevention programs, including youth outreach and substance abuse prevention, to reduce crime rates and improve public safety. I will advocate for mental health services to be integrated into public safety initiatives, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive the appropriate care and support.
Being an elected official is a tremendous responsibility. Government is there to serve the people, and therefore, elected officials must be transparent, accessible, and responsive. That means giving constituents a chance to be heard, listening to their concerns, and acting on them. As your representative in the Kentucky House of Representatives, you can count on me to be open, honest, and sensitive to the needs of the people in this community. Our state representative has a responsibility to help build a strong community through active engagement and collaboration with others. I have a proven track record of bringing people together through various community events and initiatives. As your representative, I will continue to foster a sense of unity and ensure that all voices are heard. My goal is to serve you well and make you proud of our district's leadership.
As a teenager, my first job was a volunteering as a candy striper at Kenner Regional Medical Center in Kenner, Louisiana for two years.
C-FAIR, Reproductive Rights for Kentucky PAC, KEPAC - Kentucky Educators' Political Action Committee, Sierra Club - Kentucky Chapter

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.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Cherlyn Smith campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Kentucky House of Representatives District 25Lost general$5,533 $0
Grand total$5,533 $0
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 16, 2024


Current members of the Kentucky House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:David Osborne
Representatives
District 1
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Mary Imes (R)
District 6
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Jim Gooch (R)
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Kim King (R)
District 56
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Josh Bray (R)
District 72
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Mark Hart (R)
District 79
Chad Aull (D)
District 80
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Tom Smith (R)
District 87
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District 100
Republican Party (80)
Democratic Party (20)