Steve Bratcher is an American politician and educator currently serving as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Kentucky's 25th House district. His district includes most of Elizabethtown and the north side of Hardin County.[1]

Steve Bratcher
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
from the 25th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded byJim DuPlessis
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Elizabethtown, Kentucky
EducationCommunity College of the Air Force (AS)
Eastern Kentucky University (BA) (MS)
Bellarmine University (EMBA)
CommitteesEconomic Development & Workforce Investment

Health Services

Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Websitestevebratcher.com
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
Kentucky Air National Guard
Battles/warsIraq War

His cousin, Kevin Bratcher, also serves as member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from District 29.

Background

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Education

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Bratcher graduated from Madison Central High School in Richmond before earning two technical Associate in Science degrees from the Community College of the Air Force. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in police administration and social justice as well as a Master of Science in loss prevention safety from Eastern Kentucky University. Later, Bratcher earned an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Bellarmine University. He also holds his private pilot license (PPL).[2]

Military Service

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Bratcher has served four years of active duty in the United States Air Force and over 30 years in the Kentucky Air National Guard, where he presently serves as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer. He experienced both foreign and domestic operations such as homeland defense during the September 11 attacks and Operation Iraqi Freedom.[3]

Employment

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Bratcher is currently employed at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College as Director of External Technical Training and as an instructor of business and technical courses. He is also a real estate broker, a private pilot, and the owner of a personal care home with a focus on Alzheimer and dementia residents. He has previously been employed by Honeywell, the Lear Corporation, and Maker's Mark.

Additionally, Bratcher has served on the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and is a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.[4]

Political Career

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Elections

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2014 Bratcher won the 2014 general election for constable of Hardin County's 4th magisterial district with 2,211 votes (60%) against Democratic incumbent Randell Morris.[5]

2018 Bratcher was unopposed in the 2018 general election for constable of Hardin County's 4th magisterial district, winning with 3,132 votes.[6]

2022 Incumbent Jim DuPlessis, a republican representing District 25 in the Kentucky House of Representatives, chose not to seek reelection. Bratcher won the 2022 Republican primary with 1,593 votes (67.6%), and won the 2022 Kentucky House of Representatives election with 7,537 votes (62.4%) against Democratic candidate Katherine Leonard.[2] He assumed office on January 1, 2023.

2024 Bratcher was unopposed in the 2024 Republican primary, and will face Democratic candidate Cherlyn Smith and Independent candidate Eric Parrish in the 2024 Kentucky House of Representatives election on November 5.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Steve Bratcher". Ballotpedia.
  3. ^ "About". Steve Bratcher for the 25th District. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  4. ^ "Our Team". ECTC. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "2014 Primary and General Election Results - State Board of Elections". elect.ky.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "2018 Primary and General Election Results - State Board of Elections". elect.ky.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2024.