Kentucky House Democrats tap Louisville legislator as new third-ranking leader
Kentucky House Democrats have selected a new whip to round out their leadership team.
Rep. Joshua Watkins of Louisville will serve as the caucus’ new third-ranking member of leadership behind House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, and House Minority Caucus Chair Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington.
Burke, who was previously whip, was elevated Thursday to the role of caucus chair after Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, stepped down from leadership ranks.
Watkins is relatively new to Frankfort, let alone leadership. He was first elected to represent House District 42 in 2024, and the 2025 legislative session was his first.
His district covers parts of the West Louisville neighborhood, downtown, Old Louisville and Germantown.
“We have an opportunity to make life better for people who are too often overlooked,” Watkins said in a news release. “That means listening, learning, and doing the hard work to give everyone a fair shot at a better future. We’re at a crucial moment, and we’re meeting it with determination to make our government and our economy work for every Kentuckian.”
Prior to his election, Watkins worked for nearly 11 years in Louisville Metro Government in strategy and human resources roles. According to his LinkedIn profile, Watkins’ last two roles in local government were director of strategic initiatives and director of performance improvement.
House Democratic leadership has changed significantly in recent years, as the number of House Democrats has dwindled since the House flipped Republican in the 2016 election.
Their numbers are at a historic low. Only 19 are in the caucus, as the 20th Democrat, Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, was expelled following Herald-Leader reporting and complaints about his behavior toward women.
In a 100-member body, the Democrats’ small numbers have shunned them to functional irrelevance in the legislative process. They often get little say on the high-priority bills the dominant 80-member GOP caucus has passed in recent years.
Watkins will be the fourth person to serve in the role of whip in the last three years. Former representative Angie Hatton, now a member of the Public Service Commission, left when she lost reelection in 2022; former whip Rachel Roberts decided to not seek reelection in 2024; and Burke moved up the ladder after Gentry’s decision.
Kentucky House Democrats have not kept a floor leader for more than two sessions since Rocky Adkins, who left for the governor’s office following Gov. Andy Beshear’s election in 2019. Meanwhile, House Republicans have had the same House speaker and speaker pro tempore since 2019.
