File photo
State Senator Whitney Westerfield of Christian County has filed the necessary paperwork to run for the First District justice seat on Kentucky’s Supreme Court.
The seat became vacant with the retirement of former Justice Bill Cunningham and the winner of the November general election will serve the remainder of his term through 2023. Governor Matt Bevin appointed David Buckingham of Murray serve through the end of this year, but he has said he won’t run for a full term.
Senator Westerfield, who currently represents Christian, Todd and Logan counties, has served as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee since he was elected in 2012.
He is quoted in a news release as saying, “The Supreme Court of Kentucky is the court of last resort in our Commonwealth. We cannot afford to let passion or prejudice cloud our judgment at this level. We trust the Supreme Court to uphold and defend the rule of law and that is precisely what I commit to do as Kentucky’s next 1st District Justice.”
Westerfield also cites his experience as a former assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Christian County and his experience working in private practice. He has been a member of the Kentucky Bar since October of 2006, according to the release.
He is currently opposed by Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Shea Nickell.
I’ve got an announcement…. #WWSC pic.twitter.com/fF1QkOpohq
— Whitney Westerfield (@KyWhitney) May 31, 2019