Joshua Watkins
Kentucky politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joshua Jedidiah Watkins (born September 27, 1985) is an American politician and member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2025. He represents Kentucky's 42nd House district, which comprises part of Jefferson County. He has served as House Minority Whip since November 2025.[1]
Joshua Watkins | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minority Whip of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Lindsey Burke |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 42nd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Keturah Herron |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27, 1985 |
| Party | Democratic |
Political career
Watkins was elected unopposed in the 2024 Kentucky House of Representatives election following the retirement of incumbent representative Keturah Herron to run for the Kentucky Senate. He defeated two other candidates in the May primary election.
In November 2025, Minority Caucus Chair Al Gentry stepped down from his leadership position.[2] Incumbent Minority Whip Lindsey Burke was selected to succeed Gentry as caucus chair, and Watkins was selected to succeed Burke as whip.[1]
Electoral history
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joshua Watkins | 2,103 | 53.0 | |
| Democratic | Jonathan Musselwhite | 951 | 24.0 | |
| Democratic | Jack W. Walker | 914 | 23.0 | |
| Total votes | 3,968 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joshua Watkins | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 12,350 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||