Jenean Michelle Hampton (born May 12, 1958) is an American politician who served as the 57th lieutenant governor of Kentucky from 2015 to 2019. Hampton was the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin in the 2015 election. A Republican, Hampton was the first African American to hold statewide office in Kentucky history and the third African-American woman to have served as lieutenant governor of a U.S. state.
Jenean Hampton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 57th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office December 8, 2015 – December 10, 2019 | |
| Governor | Matt Bevin |
| Preceded by | Crit Luallen |
| Succeeded by | Jacqueline Coleman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jenean Michelle Hampton May 12, 1958 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Doyle Isaak (m. 2001) |
| Education | Wayne State University (BS) University of Rochester (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1985–1992 |
| Rank |  Captain |
Early life and education
editJenean Michelle Hampton[1] was born on May 12, 1958[2][3] and raised in Detroit, Michigan, one of four daughters born to Donald and Marie Hampton. Her parents divorced when she was seven years old, leaving her mother to raise Hampton and her sisters on her own. Hampton's mother struggled because she lacked a high school diploma. After Hampton graduated from high school, she worked for five years in the automotive industry in order to help pay for her college education. She earned an Industrial Engineering degree from Wayne State University in 1985.[4] She later earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Rochester.[5]
Military and business career
editHampton served in the United States Air Force for seven years as a computer systems officer, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. During Operation Desert Storm, she was deployed to Saudi Arabia. While stationed in Saudi Arabia, Hampton was responsible for radar software used in tracking enemy planes and in search and rescue missions.[6]
Hampton spent 19 years working in the corrugated packaging industry, eventually reaching the position of plant manager.[6]
Political career
editA Republican,[6] Hampton first sought political office in 2014. That year, she unsuccessfully challenged State Representative Jody Richards.[7] Hampton has been active in her local party and in the Tea Party Movement.[8]
Hampton was selected by Matt Bevin as his running mate for Governor of Kentucky in 2015. On November 3, 2015, Bevin and Hampton defeated the Democratic ticket of Attorney General Jack Conway and State Representative Sannie Overly in the 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election.[9][10] Bevin and Hampton were sworn in to their respective posts on December 8, 2015.[11] Hampton was the first African American to hold statewide office in Kentucky history[7][12][13] and the third black woman to serve as lieutenant governor of a U.S. state.[14] She was the 57th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.[15]
Bevin did not select Hampton as his running mate in his 2019 re-election bid.[16] Her term expired in December 2019. After Bevin lost the general election, Hampton stated that she had voted for Libertarian nominee John Hicks instead of Bevin.[17]
Personal life
editHampton lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[16] She is married to Colonel Dr. Doyle Isaak, a retired U.S. Air Force officer.[18]
She is a licensed amateur radio operator.[19]
Hampton is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol, holding the grade of lieutenant colonel.[20]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Gov. Bevin picks new running mate for re-election bid". 25 January 2019.
- ^ "Jenean Hampton | Archives of Women's Political Communication". Awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
- ^ AP Published 10:36 p.m. ET Nov. 12, 2015 (2015-11-12). "Hampton touts being Frankfort outsider". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Johnson, Natalie (November 4, 2015). "Meet Jenean Hampton, First Black Statewide Officeholder in Kentucky". NBC News. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Trump meets with Ky Lt. Gov. Hampton about job".
- ^ a b c "Meet Jenean Hampton, First Black Statewide Officeholder in Kentucky". NBC News. 4 November 2015.
- ^ a b Beam, Adam (May 26, 2015). "Kentucky's election filled with 'firsts'". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
- ^ Brandenburg, Katie (January 28, 2015). "Hampton files to run with Bevin". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay; Blinder, Alan (3 November 2015). "Matt Bevin, Republican, Wins Governor's Race in Kentucky". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Official 2015 General Election Results For the office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor" (PDF). Alison Lundergan Grimes, Secretary of State, Commonwealth of Kentucky. November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Gossum, Michael (8 December 2015). "Bevin, Hampton sworn in as governor and lt. governor". www.wbko.com.
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay; Blinder, Alan (2015-11-03). "Matt Bevin, Republican, Wins Governor's Race in Kentucky". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
- ^ "Matt Bevin, Owner Of East Hampton Bell Factory, Elected Kentucky Governor". courant.com. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
- ^ Brammer, Jack. "Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton unsure if she'll be running with Bevin as deadline looms". kentucky.
- ^ Staff, WSAZ News (24 April 2018). "Ky. Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton to visit Catlettsburg Elementary School". www.wsaz.com.
- ^ a b Beam, Adam (January 25, 2019). "Bevin files for re-election, but with a new running mate". Bowling Green Daily News. The Associated Press. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Coleman, Justine (November 27, 2019). "Kentucky's lieutenant governor says she didn't vote for her boss: Bevin 'lost my vote'". The Hill. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
- ^ CHARLES A. MASON (9 December 2015). "Bowling Green heads to Frankfort for inauguration". Bowling Green Daily News.
- ^ Baileys, Jennifer (4 August 2016). "Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton talks about humble beginnings, future". WLKY.
- ^ "Ky. Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton Gets Surprise Promotion at CAP Exhibit Opening". Retrieved 2018-11-08.