© 2025 WEKU
NPR for Northern, Central and Eastern Kentucky
WEKU
Open to Debate
WEKU
Open to Debate
Next Up: 7:00 PM The Peoples Pharmacy
0:00
0:00
Open to Debate
WEKU
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Public Media funding has been eliminated. You can help! WEKU is working to make up the $240-thousand dollar annual loss in funds. Join our 1850 Campaign. 1850 donors giving at least $10 a month. We are down to 1165 to go! Click here to support WEKU!
State Capitol

First Day For New Kentucky Senator Was Last Day Of Session

Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

The first day in the Kentucky General Assembly for the newest member of the State Senate was also the last day of the 2019 session.  Pikeville Attorney Phillip Wheeler took his seat last Thursday, representing Pike, Morgan, Martin, Lawrence, and Elliot counties.  He won a special election to fill the seat once held by Ray Jones who is nowPike County Judge. 

The GOP lawmaker says his grandfather, Charles D. Wheeler of Ashland served in the House from 1964 to 1972.  Wheeler says his grandfather unseated sitting House Speaker Harry King Lowman in his first bid for office. “He was here through the 60s.  Led the way on the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and well as funding education.  He was also Republican Caucus Chairman during that time under the Nunn administration.  And I look forward to carrying on his tradition here as a Republican esnator,” said Wheeler.

 
Wheeler says he looks forward to championing new economic investment in eastern Kentucky.  He believes the Appalachian region can still count on clean coal technology as part of the strategy.

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content