Former U.S. Rep. Larry Hopkins of Lexington dies at 88
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Former U.S. Rep. Larry J. Hopkins of Lexington, who represented Central Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District for 14 years, has died. He was 88.
Former University of Kentucky basketball player Rex Chapman, who is a friend of the family, first tweeted the news early Tuesday morning.
When Hopkins was first elected to Congress from the 6th District in 1978, he became the first Republican to hold the seat since the Civil War. He held the position until 1993.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville, said in a release that he was saddened by the passing of his friend who “proudly served the people of Central Kentucky at each level of local, state, and federal government.”
“Larry had an independent voice, allowing him to overcome partisan rancor to make friends on both sides of the political aisle. He was a premier legislator in both Frankfort and Washington and will be missed by all of his former colleagues,” said McConnell.
McConnell noted that Hopkins, in Congress, “used his expertise on the House Armed Services Committee to reform and modernize our military. As a representative of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, he worked on numerous bills to improve the lives of our farmers. Above all, Larry cared deeply about the commonwealth.”
In a statement on his website, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Lexington who now holds the seat, said Hopkins was “a legend in Kentucky politics and a force for the commonwealth in the House of Representatives.”
Barr noted that Hopkins “rose to being the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. He was beloved by both sides of the aisle, and his humor was famous with constituents and colleagues.”
On a personal note, Barr said, “Larry was a great friend and mentor to me during and before my time in Congress. I will miss him, and I join all Kentuckians in praying for his family, friends and the community that he loved so much.”
Kentucky Republican Party Chairman Mac Brown said, “Former Congressman Larry Hopkins’ passing is sad news for our state and party. Kentucky Republicans will always remember his legacy of service to our commonwealth and to our country and we wish his loved ones peace and comfort in this time of loss.”
Besides serving in Congress, Hopkins was the Republican nominee for governor in Kentucky in 1991 but lost to Democrat Brereton Jones.
In 2011, Hopkins supported Democrat Steve Beshear’s successful re-election for governor.
Beshear, whose son, Andy, is now governor of Kentucky, said in a telephone interview that Hopkins “never allowed partisanship to interfere with our friendship. That’s the way it should be.”
The elder Beshear said he asked Hopkins in 2011 to support his re-election. “He did not hesitate. He stepped up and said I had done a good job and deserved another term. I always appreciated that.”
Hopkins attended public schools in Wingo in Graves County and Murray State University. He served in the U.S. Marines from 1954 to 1956 and was a stockbroker with Hilliard Lyons.
Before being elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1972 and the state Senate in 1976, he was clerk of Fayette County.
Hopkins and his wife, Carolyn, had three children — Shae, Tara and Josh. Josh is an actor and Shae is executive director and chief executive officer of Kentucky Educational Television Network.
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 11:55 AM.
