Kentucky's 42nd House of Representatives district
American legislative district
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kentucky's 42nd House of Representatives district is one of 100 districts in the Kentucky House of Representatives. It comprises part of Jefferson County. It has been represented by Joshua Watkins (D–Louisville) since 2025.[1] As of 2024, the district had a population of 42,179.[2]
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Representative
| Joshua Watkins D–Louisville | |
| since January 1, 2025 | |
Registration75.8% Democratic
12.0% Republican
11.5% No party preference
12.0% Republican
11.5% No party preference
Demographics44.0% White
44.5% Black
3.6% Hispanic
1.3% Asian
0.2% Native American
1.2% Other
5.1% Multiracial
44.5% Black
3.6% Hispanic
1.3% Asian
0.2% Native American
1.2% Other
5.1% Multiracial
Population(2024)42,179
| Kentucky's 42nd State House of Representatives district | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| |||||
| Representative |
| ||||
| Registration | 75.8% Democratic 12.0% Republican 11.5% No party preference | ||||
| Demographics | 44.0% White 44.5% Black 3.6% Hispanic 1.3% Asian 0.2% Native American 1.2% Other 5.1% Multiracial | ||||
| Population (2024) | 42,179 | ||||
| Registered voters (2026) | 29,858 | ||||
Voter registration
On January 1, 2026, the district had 29,858 registered voters, who were registered with the following parties.[3]
| Party | Registration | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Voters | % | ||
| Democratic | 22,643 | 75.84 | |
| Republican | 3,593 | 12.03 | |
| Independent | 1,492 | 5.00 | |
| Libertarian | 120 | 0.40 | |
| Green | 47 | 0.16 | |
| Socialist Workers | 19 | 0.06 | |
| Constitution | 8 | 0.03 | |
| Reform | 1 | 0.00 | |
| "Other" | 1,935 | 6.48 | |
| Total | 29,858 | 100.00 | |
List of members representing the district
| Member | Party | Years | Electoral history | District location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughes McGill (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 1968 – January 22, 1971 |
Elected in 1967. Reelected in 1969. Died. |
1964–1972 Jefferson County (part). |
| Charlotte McGill (Louisville) |
Democratic | February 1971 – January 1, 1978 |
Elected to finish her husband's term. Reelected in 1971. Reelected in 1973. Reelected in 1975. Lost renomination. | |
| 1972–1974 Jefferson County (part). | ||||
| 1974–1985 Jefferson County (part). | ||||
| Aubrey Williams (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 1978 – January 1, 1985 |
Elected in 1977. Reelected in 1979. Reelected in 1981. Lost renomination. | |
| Benny Handy (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 1985 – January 1, 1989 |
Redistricted from the 39th district and reelected in 1984. Reelected in 1986. Lost renomination. |
1985–1993 Jefferson County (part). |
| Leonard Gray (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 1989 – December 11, 1995 |
Elected in 1988. Reelected in 1990. Reelected in 1992. Reelected in 1994. Resigned. | |
| 1993–1997 Jefferson County (part). | ||||
| Eleanor Jordan (Louisville) |
Democratic | February 22, 1996 – January 1, 2001 |
Elected to finish Gray's term. Reelected in 1996. Reelected in 1998. Retired to run for Kentucky's 3rd congressional district. | |
1997–2003.svg) | ||||
| Reginald Meeks (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 2001 – December 17, 2021 |
Elected in 2000. Reelected in 2002. Reelected in 2004. Reelected in 2006. Reelected in 2008. Reelected in 2010. Reelected in 2012. Reelected in 2014. Reelected in 2016. Reelected in 2018. Reelected in 2020. Resigned. | |
2003–2015.svg) | ||||
2015–2023.svg) | ||||
 Keturah Herron (Louisville) |
Democratic | February 28, 2022 – January 1, 2025 |
Elected to finish Meeks's term. Reelected in 2022. Retired to run for the Kentucky Senate. | |
| 2023–present | ||||
 Joshua Watkins (Louisville) |
Democratic | January 1, 2025 – present |
Elected in 2024. |
