Debby Lucas Angel

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Debby Lucas Angel

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Associates

Cincinnati State Community and Technical College, 2000

Bachelor's

Morehead State University, 1978

Bachelor's

Morehead State University, 1983

Personal

Birthplace

Mount Sterling, KY

Profession

Retired

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Debby Lucas Angel (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kentucky House of Representatives to represent District 61. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Lucas Angel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Debby Lucas Angel was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. She earned bachelor's degrees from Morehead State University in 1978 and 1983 and an associate degree from Cincinnati State Community and Technical College in 2000. Angel's career experience includes working as a farmer, certified public manager with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and contract writer for a local newspaper. Angel has been affiliated with Grant County 4-H, Grant County Extension Council, Fitness for Life Around Grant County, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Colonel, Kentucky Horse Network.

Elections

2022

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61

Incumbent Savannah Maddox defeated Debby Lucas Angel in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Savannah Maddox (R)	76.5	11,351
		Debby Lucas Angel (D)	23.5	3,493

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,844
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Debby Lucas Angel advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61

Incumbent Savannah Maddox defeated Jarrod Lykins in the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Savannah Maddox	71.2	2,949
		Jarrod Lykins	28.8	1,192

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,141
= 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

To view Angel's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

2020

See also: Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61

Incumbent Savannah Maddox defeated Debby Lucas Angel in the general election for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Savannah Maddox (R)	98.7	20,460
		Debby Lucas Angel (Independent) (Write-in)	1.3	279

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,739
= 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

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Savannah Maddox advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky House of Representatives District 61.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Debby Lucas Angel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lucas Angel'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 am a farmer, constituent and retired state employee. I was raised on a dairy, went to school at Morehead State University and worked 25 years with the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. After retiring, I went back to the farm, where we have a small greenhouse to sell transplants in the spring off the farm and at the local farmers' market, produce, baked and canned goods in the summer and mums in the fall. I volunteer with local organizations and try to give back for all the good I've been fortunate enough to have.

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?

• I want to represent everyone in my District and help bring in revenue sources--industry and jobs as well as grants and loans.
• I stand for the working people of the District--teachers, union members, service employees and everyone working for a living. Everyone should be able to achieve the American Dream.
• Instead of shame and punishment, we need to address the drug issue with compassion and realistic goals. We need to work together to do this, not argue and finger point.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Farming, environmental protection, budgeting, using a realistic approach to the drug issue instead of shame and punishment, education, childcare and infrastructure (roads, water and sewage treatment plants, broadband access, etc.) as well as not trying to legislate values upon our citizens.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Democracy in Chains

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

I like people. I like to help people. I listen.
Plus, I have experience in government. As a Kentucky Certified Public Manager, I understand how government is supposed to work and how it is not supposed to work and right now, it's not working.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent ALL of the people, not just a chosen few. Plus, it is just as important to seek new revenue sources both in the form of jobs and industry as well as grants and loans.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was riding a workhorse to the barn after my dad had worked in the field. I was three years old and was very proud of myself for riding that horse to the barn. Of course, the horse was on it's way to the barn anyways, but to my mind, I was doing my job and doing it well!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Equal and equitable. We have checks and balances in our government; if one is over the other there is not balance.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Returning to cooperative governing. Addressing our educational system that is under attack from both out and inside. Addressing the burgeoning drug issue--shame and punishment is not working. Addressing our infrastructure and providing services to our citizens to make this a stronger state.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Benefits are that it may be considered more equitable for there to be one house and the one executive office. However, for there to be a balance in legislature, it's good to have the two houses to, hopefully, work together and then work with the executive branch. Bicameral prevents centralization of power but can result in deadlock (ie/federal government today).

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

In many ways yes, but there's always the threat of too much or too little. But for a legislator to jump into governing, it is handy to know how it works from the inside.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes! The more working relationships we have, the better. The lack of relationships can provide for misunderstandings and misinformation. Conversely, there is such a thing as too close of a relationship...

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Independent, third party based on population and little to no political input.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Education, Transportation, Environmental Protection, Agriculture, etc.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not so much. I think this one will keep me busy enough without trying to use it as a stepping stone to a higher office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Hearing a small town official relate the lack of support from the incumbent. A representative should represent, not turn away or ignore someone that needs help.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Only to the extent of working together for consensus. But part of the responsibility of being governor is to be able to make quick and efficient decisions. Trying to get the whole of the legislature to agree to an emergency and then agree with the governor negates the whole idea of an emergency.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes! Any time there is more than one person involved in a decision, there must be a meeting in the middle or at least a consensus.

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.

Note: Lucas Angel submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on October 10, 2022.

Show past responsesHide past responses

April 10 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was raised a dairy farmer in Kentucky; went to Morehead State University and retired from the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. My husband and I have a small farm in Grant County. We have a greenhouse to raise vegetable transplants in the spring. We belong to the local Farmers' Market and sell the transplants, eggs and canned/baked goods as well as fresh produce throughout the Market Season. I belong to the 4H Council, Extension Council, local Chamber of Commerce, Fitness for Life Around Grant County as well as teaching yoga in Gallatin and Grant Counties. As a KY Certified Public Manager I understand how government should and should not work. I also understand what is a public servant versus politician making public office a career. I know how to work and will work for all the people in my District--not just a part of a section that agrees with me. In other words, I choose people over party.

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?

• I listen. I have a platform supporting public education; addressing the drug issue and working for a true, realistic budget, but this is a beginning point. I want to hear from the 61st District what the people need from their Representative.
• I am for unions; for teachers; for public schools. I will seek out and do my best to bring in more revenue streams for the District and State.
• Honesty, Integrity and Support, these are not buzzwords, these are what I believe and what I bring with me.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Preserving and moving our our state forward, bringing solid, sustainable jobs to our District and State. Providing quality public education and affordable childcare that is available for everyone. Bringing strong moral character to the office to represent the people instead of trying to forward a personal agenda.

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

Honesty, integrity, tact and knowledge. Without these an elected official is simply a politician after power and a paycheck.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave things better than I find them.
I use my knowledge, education, experience and abilities to help folks better their lives.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Being raised on a dairy farm, I learned the value of work early: from tending cows and calves, to helping in the tobacco process to raising a garden. I guess you could say I'm still working on the farm.

To go to university, I had a work study on the university farm and then later as an office assistant. My first commercial job, I worked at Whittaker's Tobacco Warehouse in the office where I learned and handled all aspects of selling tobacco from weigh-in to sales.

From these jobs and my subsequent positions, I learned that it is important to learn and know the job you want or have. Simply "doing" the job is not enough--you must understand the job in order to succeed and adequately do that job.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

To get our government operational again. The infighting and finger-pointing is making our government not able to serve her people. For Kentucky to be able to be competitive with other states and to bring in stable and sustainable jobs; we must have solid public education, child and healthcare in order to meet the future that is speeding toward us. We have to be able to govern in a manner to encourage growth and security.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Bring in an outside, third party that is acceptable to the three sections of the government. This third party will use accepted statistical information to determine geographically and politically equal Districts throughout the state.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes. Holding a position without accepting input and possibly other, better, ideas is both childish and counterproductive. No one is right all the time and no one is wrong all the time. While it may not be necessary to pass partisan ideals, it is desirable for a balanced government.

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.

Note: Lucas Angel submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on April 10, 2022.

2020

Debby Lucas Angel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lucas Angel'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 am a retired Kentucky employee, a farmer, writer, yoga and martial arts instructor who has had it with the lack of leadership and tackling of real issues in our state government. With the incumbent running unopposed and running amok, I decided to conduct a write-in campaign.

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?

• Budget is the most important issue this year. COVID-19 has descimated our budget and though this is an off-year and budget should not be an issue; last year the legislature only passed one year so this year it must be taken up again. Somehow we have to pay the bills and help the people through the second wave of the pandemic.
• Jobs and Education. Lost jobs and businesses are the rule of the pandemic world. Wringing of hands, gnashing of teeth and attacking the governor are not going to take care of this issue. We have to take off the coats, cast aside the partisanship and get to work to help our citizens and keep Kentucky moving forward. New jobs, new businesses, proper education and training; these are needed to get our economy and people into recovery and beyond.
• Drug addiction. Numbers are skyrocketing and our people are suffering. We have to have answers instead of ignoring the issue. Rehab facilities instead of jails/prisons, mental health assistance instead of placing blame, understanding it is a real issue and not a consequence of personal choices.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

That our legislators remember they are public servants-we work for the people not the other way around.
Legislators are spending too much time on non-governmental issues instead of taking care of public issues such as budgeting, roads, education, jobs-the things legislators are hired to do: steward the tax dollars paid by our constituents.

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

As corny as it sounds, my parents-especially my father. I am a Daddy's girl and though he is gone now, his influence is still with me. He and my mom taught me all my life to be honest and straightforward. I was taught you do not sneak, steal or lie. I have, and continue to, live my life by this tenet.
My mom once wrote in little book for me that "a winner never quits and a quitter never wins."

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

Honesty. Integrity. Fiscal Responsibility.
An elected official is a person, but they must understand their personal beliefs are background-they are civil servants who are elected to office to steward the money and will of the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I made things better when I left than they were before I got there; and they stay better because of it.

What is your favorite book? Why?

There are so many! I guess I would have to say that today, it is "The Hunger Games" series. It is entertaining, yet carries a message.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wonder Woman.  :)

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Here Comes the Sun.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

While both pass bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes; the House initiates Revenue bills.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. While not absolutely a game changer; it is a good background to have worked in government and understand how things fit together.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Rebuilding after the tribal partisanship and recovering from the pandemic.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

Understanding and partnership-knowing both are to be stewards of the Commonwealth and work together for the good of her.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

YES. One cannot exist in a vacuum.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Stop gerrymandering and base it strictly on population.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Ethics. Transportation. Drug control. Environmental.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes, if asked. About any.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not really. Hadn't planned on this one.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Not yet.

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.

See also

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Kentucky House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:David Osborne

Minority Leader:Pamela Stevenson

Representatives

District 1

Steven Rudy (R)

District 2

Kimberly Holloway (R)

District 3

Randy Bridges (R)

District 4

D. Wade Williams (R)

District 5

Mary Imes (R)

District 6

Chris Freeland (R)

District 7

Suzanne Miles (R)

District 8

Walker Thomas (R)

District 9

Myron Dossett (R)

District 10

Josh Calloway (R)

District 11

J.T. Payne (R)

District 12

Jim Gooch (R)

District 13

D.J. Johnson (R)

District 14

Scott Lewis (R)

District 15

Rebecca Raymer (R)

District 16

Jason Petrie (R)

District 17

Robert Duvall (R)

District 18

Samara Heavrin (R)

District 19

Michael Meredith (R)

District 20

Kevin Jackson (R)

District 21

Amy Neighbors (R)

District 22

Shawn McPherson (R)

District 23

Steve Riley (R)

District 24

Ryan Bivens (R)

District 25

Steve Bratcher (R)

District 26

Peyton Griffee (R)

District 27

Nancy Tate (R)

District 28

Jared Bauman (R)

District 29

Chris Lewis (R)

District 30

Daniel Grossberg (D)

District 31

Susan Tyler Witten (R)

District 32

Tina Bojanowski (D)

District 33

Jason Nemes (R)

District 34

Sarah Stalker (D)

District 35

Lisa Willner (D)

District 36

John Hodgson (R)

District 37

Emily Callaway (R)

District 38

Rachel Roarx (D)

District 39

Matt Lockett (R)

District 40

Nima Kulkarni (D)

District 41

Mary Marzian (D)

District 42

Joshua Watkins (D)

District 43

Pamela Stevenson (D)

District 44

Beverly Chester-Burton (D)

District 45

Adam Moore (D)

District 46

Alan Gentry (D)

District 47

Felicia Rabourn (R)

District 48

Ken Fleming (R)

District 49

Thomas Huff (R)

District 50

Candy Massaroni (R)

District 51

Michael Pollock (R)

District 52

Ken Upchurch (R)

District 53

James Tipton (R)

District 54

Daniel Elliott (R)

District 55

Kim King (R)

District 56

Daniel Fister (R)

District 57

Erika Hancock (D)

District 58

Jennifer Decker (R)

District 59

David Osborne (R)

District 60

Marianne Proctor (R)

District 61

Savannah Maddox (R)

District 62

Tony Hampton (R)

District 63

Kimberly Banta (R)

District 64

Kimberly Moser (R)

District 65

Stephanie Dietz (R)

District 66

T.J. Roberts (R)

District 67

Matthew Lehman (D)

District 68

Mike Clines (R)

District 69

Steven Doan (R)

District 70

William Lawrence (R)

District 71

Josh Bray (R)

District 72

Matthew Koch (R)

District 73

Ryan Dotson (R)

District 74

David Hale (R)

District 75

Lindsey Burke (D)

District 76

Anne Donworth (D)

District 77

George Brown (D)

District 78

Mark Hart (R)

District 79

Chad Aull (D)

District 80

David Meade (R)

District 81

Deanna Frazier Gordon (R)

District 82

Nick Wilson (R)

District 83

Joshua Branscum (R)

District 84

Chris Fugate (R)

District 85

Shane Baker (R)

District 86

Tom Smith (R)

District 87

Adam Bowling (R)

District 88

Vanessa Grossl (R)

District 89

Timmy Truett (R)

District 90

Derek Lewis (R)

District 91

Billy Wesley (R)

District 92

John Blanton (R)

District 93

Adrielle Camuel (D)

District 94

Mitchum Whitaker (R)

District 95

Ashley Laferty (D)

District 96

Patrick Flannery (R)

District 97

Bobby McCool (R)

District 98

Aaron Thompson (R)

District 99

Richard White (R)

District 100

Scott Sharp (R)

Republican Party (80)

Democratic Party (20)