KY House District 77: Daniel Whitley challenges Rep. George Brown in Democratic primary

In the House District 77 Democratic primary, it’s experience vs. youth.

It’s a cliche in politics, but the contrast is true in the case of Daniel Whitley and Rep. George Brown Jr., D-Lexington, both of whom are leaning into it.

If reelected, Brown could be the only Democratic House member in 2025 with any recollection of what serving in the majority is like. He’s running on the importance of leveraging the relationships he’s already built in Frankfort — a rare commodity for Democrats.

As an example, Brown mentioned advocating for $3.5 million in the state road plan this year to complete Citation Boulevard between Newtown Pike and Russell Cave Road on the North side of Lexington.

Whitley asks if what Brown has provided in his 10 years of representation in Frankfort — before then he served 12 years on Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council — is enough.

“We know what we currently have, and the question is, do we want more?” Whitley, a local attorney, wrote.

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Meanwhile, Brown argues that Whitley isn’t in touch with the reality of legislating in a minority as small as that of the House Democrats’.

House District 77 includes much of the northern portion of downtown and Lexington’s historically Black East End. It also stretches out to include neighborhoods along Newtown Pike and Georgetown Road as well as those near Masterson Station Park.

The district is the the only majority-minority district in Kentucky outside of Louisville.

As of earlier this month, Brown had a fundraising advantage over Whitley — roughly $34,000 to $19,000.

Here’s how the candidates responded to a survey on their backgrounds, the future of the Democratic party in Kentucky, the issues and more.

Rep. George Brown Jr.

What about your personal and professional background makes you most qualified to serve?

I’ve been a social and youth advocate for over 60 years. I’ve worked at the University of Kentucky, with the Bluegrass Employment Training program as a financial person and worked with a number of kids in those summer youth programs and year round programs. So I’ve got experience in working in the community and have a serious reputation with people as someone that has a sympathetic ear and is there to work with folks in the community.

Also, my work in the legislature speaks for itself in that I’ve shown up to work in insurmountable odds. With the disparity between Democrat and Republican representation in the General Assembly, it is difficult but you’ve got to do the difficult things and go to work every day and do the work of the people. That’s what I have been consistent in doing in the 10 years I’ve been in the General Assembly.

What would be your top three issues in Frankfort in the next term?

No. 1 is women’s health care and women’s autonomy over their bodies.

No. 2 is public education.

Voting rights for citizens of the commonwealth, and voting rights for ex-felons – automatic restoration after people have completed this sentence and paid all restitution.

Democrats have a choice to make in this election. Why should they pick you instead of your opponent?

I think experience matters. It is clear that I have experience and been in the General Assembly and working in the legislative process. My opponent is a lawyer and does not have that, and I think he lacks the ability to count. We need 51, 50 plus one, votes to pass any legislation. We are woefully short – 31 votes short.

Currently, Republicans control the flow of legislation in Frankfort. How can the Democratic Party become more relevant and change that reality?

How can we get more balance in the General Assembly? I think an educated electorate, and people coming out to vote, particularly in the rural areas. There’s a serious rural and urban divide and Kentucky. They have the numbers out in the rural areas and it’s important that we address those areas out in the rural areas of our state. It’s difficult for people running to get the money and/or the support. It takes a serious intestinal fortitude for people out in the rural areas to think in terms of running.

Daniel Whitley

What about your personal and professional background makes you most qualified to serve?

I graduated with a political science degree from the University of Kentucky, as well as a Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M College of Law. I have over 13 years of experience in the practice of law. Combining my background in the study in political science with my experience in the law, it places me in a unique position to understand how the laws are made, how they are interpreted and how they are executed. In addition, as a father I am passionate about the future of our district and want to fight to preserve the rich history of my district. Finally, I have been blessed to be a vocal leader in my district and have been the voice for the voiceless for over a decade.

What would be your top three issues in Frankfort in the next term?

The top three issues for our district are to ensure the proper funding for public education and the fight to protect teachers who are responsible for the education and development of the next generation. Second, to fight to protect the proper funding of Kentucky State University. Throughout the 77th District, Kentucky State University alumni have played a critical role in educating our future leaders. In addition, with the nursing shortage throughout Kentucky, the funding of their nursing program will be equally important to assist in providing care, to the future demand to provide care for our aging population. Lastly, to fight to provide proper funding to our local community colleges. While a four-year degree is valued, the future in trades and technology will be needed to assist in fighting to provide workers for the future demands in workplace development.

Democrats have a choice to make in this election. Why should they pick you instead of your opponent?

We must have an honest conversation. Over the past decade, what have we received from our current state representative? I ask the Democrats for the opportunity to be a stronger voice in times when our voice has been diluted. I have been passionate about the future of my community and have the energy to bring attention to our issues. So, the choice is simple, what do we want? We know what we currently have, and the question is, do we want more?

Currently, Republicans control the flow of legislation in Frankfort. How can the Democratic Party become more relevant and change that reality?

Stand up and fight! It’s time we stop having the defeated mindset; we are powerful regardless of our numbers. We will fight and use technology to be heard, we will organize to use our voices to be recognized, and we will with time rise again to the voice of the commonwealth of Kentucky.