Fayette Judge Lucy VanMeter running for Court of Appeals representing Central KY
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- Lucy VanMeter announced May 2026 primary bid for 1st Division, 5th District seat.
- Seat opened after Goodwine elevation; Moynahan appointed to fill vacancy.
- VanMeter cites 25 years trial experience and practice depth as qualification.
Fayette Circuit Judge Lucy Ferguson VanMeter announced Wednesday that she’s running in the May 2026 primary for one of the two Kentucky Court of Appeals seats representing Lexington and the rest of Central Kentucky.
VanMeter hopes to win the 1st Division, 5th District seat that was held by Judge Pamela Goodwine until her election to the Kentucky Supreme Court in November 2024.
Gov. Andy Beshear named William Moynahan of Lexington to fill Goodwine’s vacancy earlier this year. But as of Wednesday, VanMeter was the only candidate for next year’s election filed with the secretary of state’s office.
The 14-judge Court of Appeals reviews cases appealed from circuit courts around the state. Its own decisions can be reviewed by the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeals’ 5th District includes Fayette, Madison, Franklin, Scott, Jessamine, Woodford, Clark and Bourbon Counties.
VanMeter was elected to Fayette Circuit Court in 2018. She was previously a member of the firm of Stoll Keenon Ogden in Lexington.
“I am running for this election because I believe the Court of Appeals bench benefits when its members have deep practice experience in the state court system and have presided over cases as a trial judge.” she said in a prepared statement.
“In my nearly 25-year career, I’ve handled just about every type of case that will come before the Court of Appeals and believe I can serve the people of Kentucky independently and honorably,” she said.
VanMeter is married to Laurance VanMeter, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court.
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 9:53 AM.
