Bobby McCool (politician)

Bobby McCool
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 97th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byScott Wells
Personal details
Born (1959-05-07) May 7, 1959 (age 65)
Political partyRepublican
Children2
ResidenceVan Lear, Kentucky
EducationUniversity of Kentucky (ABD) Florida State University (PGS)
Morehead State University (MA)
Eastern Kentucky University (BA)
OccupationEducator (ret.)
CommitteesBR Sub. on Postsecondary Education (Chair)
Appropriations & Revenue
Education
Transportation
Natural Resources & Energy
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corp, Air National Guard

Bobby Wayne McCool (born May 7, 1959) is an American politician who has served as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2019. His district consists of Johnson, Martin, and Pike counties.[1]

Background

McCool was raised in Letcher County, and after graduating high school chose to enter the workforce as a coal miner. Later, he was laid off from this position and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. After receiving an honorable discharge, McCool attempted to return to Eastern Kentucky but was unable to find work, choosing instead to move to Lexington to further his education.[2]

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1991,[3] a Master of Arts in education from Morehead State University, a postgraduate certificate in research from Florida State University, and has completed coursework towards a Doctor of Education Leadership degree at the University of Kentucky.[4] During his education, McCool worked as a teacher at Rockcastle County High School as well as the food service industry.[2][5]

After graduation, McCool was employed as a welding instructor by Mayo Technical College (now Big Sandy Community and Technical College) in Paintsville. He would remain at BCTCS for over 27 years, serving as one of the first members of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents, Director of the Mayo campus, and finally as a vice president and Chief Institutional Office of BCTCS.[2] During this period, McCool was also a member of the Paintsville/ Johnson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and governing board of the Kentucky Historical Society.[6][7] Following retirement, he returned to BCTCS in 2017 after being appointed to the college's Board of Directors by Governor Matt Bevin.[8]

Political career

Elections

  • 2012 McCool was unopposed in the 2012 Republican primary for Kentucky's 97th House district[9] but was defeated in the 2012 Kentucky House of Representatives election by Democratic incumbent Hubert Collins. McCool garnered 5,763 votes (41%).[10]
  • 2014 McCool won the 2014 Republican primary with 1,610 votes (46.2%)[11] but was defeated in the 2014 Kentucky House of Representatives election by Democratic incumbent Hubert Collins. McCool garnered 5,199 votes (36.8%).[12]
  • 2018 Kentucky's 97th House district incumbent Scott Wells chose not to seek reelection.[13] McCool won the 2018 Republican primary with 1,949 votes (52.4%)[14] and won the 2018 Kentucky House of Representatives election with 8,514 votes (57.8%) against Democratic candidate Craig Lindon.[15]
  • 2020 McCool was unopposed in the 2020 Republican primary[9] and won the 2020 Kentucky House of Representatives election with 14,459 votes (78.5%) against Democratic candidate Will Hurst.[16]
  • 2022 McCool won the 2022 Republican primary with 4,244 votes (60.4%)[17] against Norma Kirk-McCormick, who was the incumbent representative of Kentucky's 93rd House district who had been redistricted following the enactment of the 2022 Kentucky redistricting map.[18] McCool was unopposed in the 2022 Kentucky House of Representatives election, winning with 9,395 votes.[19]
  • 2024 McCool was unopposed in the 2024 Republican primary and will be unopposed in the 2024 Kentucky House of Representatives election on November 5.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  2. ^ a b c Coburn, Reagan (2020-10-14). "Election preview: Two seeking 97th District state House seat". The Paintsville Herald. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  3. ^ "Political Science And English Double Major Gains Experience For A Career In Politics | EKU Stories | Eastern Kentucky University". stories.eku.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  4. ^ "The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers - Rep. Bobby McCool (R-KY-097)". www.congressweb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  5. ^ "Bobby McCool-the Man - Elect Bobby McCool". www.bobbymccool.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  6. ^ "Paintsville/Johnson County Chamber of Commerce". www.rayreeder.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  7. ^ "MCCOOL NAMED TO BOARD OF THE KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY". BSCTC. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  8. ^ Stinnett, Kevin O. (2017-12-11). "Gov. Bevin makes appointments to Kentucky boards and commissions". Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  9. ^ a b c "Bobby McCool". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  10. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 6, 2012 Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 55. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 20, 2014 Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 31. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 4, 2014 Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 54. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Number of state House Democrats not seeking re-election grows to 8". Lexington Herald-Leader. January 9, 2018. pp. 3A.
  14. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 22, 2018 Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 31. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 6, 2018 Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 56. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 3, 2020 Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 66. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 17, 2022 Official Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 38. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Davis, Ralph (2022-01-26). "97th District race features two incumbents". Mountain Top Media. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  19. ^ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 8, 2022 Official General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 73. Retrieved September 4, 2024.