Melinda Gibbons Prunty (born December 5, 1957) is a Republican politician who represented Kentucky's 15th legislative district in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023. She did not seek reelection in 2022.
Prunty and her husband, Marshall, have three daughters – Kaci, Lindsay, and Hillary.[1] Marshall Prunty, a doctor, was unsuccessful in three attempts to capture the 15th district seat in the Kentucky House.[1][2]
In 2016, Prunty filed as a Republican to challenge incumbent DemocratBrent Yonts for his seat representing Kentucky's 15th district in the state House of Representatives.[1] She said her primary impetus for running was "getting pro-life legislation passed".[2] Her other stated priorities as a candidate were to reduce regulations, particularly those affecting small businesses and the coal industry; improving the quality and lowering the cost of healthcare, especially for veterans; reforming adoption law; and strengthening protections for religious freedom and gun rights.[1]
In the November 8, 2016, general election Prunty defeated Yonts by a vote of 10,597 to 7,973.[5] Yonts told The Messenger-Inquirer, "It wasn't me, it was Trump", noting that over half of the 15th district voted a Republican straight ticket, with presidential candidate Donald Trump at the top of the ballot.[6] Prunty's election was part of a Republican landslide in Kentucky that saw the party take control of the state House for the first time since 1921.[7] Including Prunty, 17 Republican challengers unseated Democratic incumbents in the election, turning a 53–47 Democratic majority into a 64–36 Republican majority.[7]
References
^ abcdefHayse, Bobbie (October 28, 2016). "Longtime legislator Yonts faces Prunty, who seeks change for the 15th District". The Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky.