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Staff Report

The first jurist has thrown their gavel in the ring to race to replace retiring Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance B. VanMeter in the 5th Supreme Court District.

Judge Pamela R. Goodwine of the 5th Appellate Court District announced in a news release Friday that she has filed to run for the seat on the commonwealth’s highest court.

“It is my honor and privilege to serve Kentuckians in the judiciary, and I am incredibly grateful to all who have supported me throughout my career. I am deeply honored to receive the enthusiastic support from those who have committed to helping me achieve my lifelong goal of serving on the Kentucky Supreme Court,” Goodwine said.

Goodwine was first elected to the state judiciary in 2018 when she was elected to her current position in the 5th Appellate Court District, which is comprised of Bourbon, Clark, Franklin, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott and Woodford counties.

Before that, Goodwine served as a judge in Fayette County and had the honor of becoming the first Black woman to be appointed to and win election to the bench in the county’s history.

Prior to her election to the bench, Goodwine worked as an attorney for the legal firm of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs.