Lexington man not ‘active candidate’ after assault charge, but he’ll still be on the ballot
Chris Couch announced that he was postponing his campaign for the 75th District State House of Representatives seat in Lexington two months ago after being arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident.
He’ll be on the ballot next month.
The 25-year-old Democratic candidate gained some early momentum picking up endorsements from current and former legislators as well as posting a solid campaign finance report early in the year – that was before he was arrested for fourth-degree assault, allegedly breaking glass in a North Limestone apartment “causing the victim to step on it” and injure his right heel, according to a Lexington Police arrest citation.
When asked through a campaign representative why he’s still on the ballot, Couch added the caveat that he wasn’t an “active candidate.”
“While I am no longer an active candidate and campaigning for myself, I will continue to use my voice to campaign for other Democratic candidates and advocate for causes I believe in,” Couch said. “I believe real leaders show up and do the work in their communities, and I intend to do just that.”
In a statement sent to the Herald-Leader soon after the February arrest, Couch said he was disappointed in himself and that he was reaching out to professional counselors for help. Couch’s criminal case is pending in Fayette District Court and he’s scheduled to attend a pretrial conference in July.
Couch is up on the primary ballot against fellow Democratic candidate Lindsey Burke. No Republican filed for the seat.
A representative for Couch’s campaign has yet to respond to questions about whether or not he will run in the general election should he win the primary or if he lives in the district as it’s currently drawn. Couch’s candidate information on the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) lists an address that is narrowly outside the bounds of the 75th District map as redrawn in the new GOP-controlled redistricting process – that address matches the one from the Lexington Police citation of the alleged assault incident.
Burke told the Herald-Leader that Couch not withdrawing his name from the ballot despite postponing his campaign will sow confusion at the ballot box in May.
“My opponent’s decision to suspend his campaign without withdrawing his name from the ballot is a perfect example of the political doublespeak and self-seeking behavior that people are tired of seeing from politicians. He has created confusion instead of unity and our community deserves better,” Burke said.
Couch and Burke are neck-and-neck in terms of funds raised for their campaigns. Burke has raised more than $11,000 while Couch has posted $12,780. Couch’s team filed a KREF spending report recently that included only one small donation since news of his arrest broke, though the campaign has continued to pay a consultant.
The 75th District takes up about a third of the Western portion of the area of Lexington within New Circle Road.
This story was originally published April 25, 2022 at 1:57 PM.
