Josh Hicks, not Stan Lee, for House 45

For 45th District voters who have tired of state Rep. Stan Lee, there is a ray of hope.

Democrat Josh Hicks has many of the personal traits and policy positions that Lee falls short on.

Hicks, an attorney and political newcomer, is a Marine Corps veteran, former Maysville police officer and community volunteer who gives his time, both as a mediator in Fayette small claims court and on the youth sports fields.

He speaks forcefully, passionately and eloquently about public schools, public employees, the opioid scourge, and the plague of big money which pervades our democracy and inserts itself into every corner of public discourse. And a lot more.

Hicks rightly points out that Lee’s accomplishments over his 18 years in the Kentucky legislature amount to next to nothing.

Despite the takeover of the House by his party in 2016, Lee’s not in leadership nor does he chair an important committee (he’s co-chair of the Government Contract Review Committee) which says all you need to know about the esteem in which he is held by his fellow Republicans, and their confidence in his leadership.

Lee has kept the seat by placating religious conservatives in the 45th with the same divisive rhetoric on social issues that has so badly split the country.

The southern Fayette County district, a far more diverse community than is reflected in the narrow political niche occupied by Lee, deserves — and should expect— a representative who is forward-looking, and enthusiastic about solving problems, not a mere partisan who mistakes his personal religious beliefs for workable public policy.

We believe Josh Hicks will be just that sort of legislator.

This story was originally published October 23, 2018 at 7:31 PM.