Melinda Gibbons Prunty

Melinda Gibbons Prunty
Prunty in the Kentucky State Capitol in 2017
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 15th district
In office January 1, 2017 – January 1, 2023
Preceded by	Brent Yonts
Succeeded by	Rebecca Raymer
Personal details
Born	(1957-12-05) December 5, 1957 (age 67)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Marshall E. Prunty
Children	3
Residence(s)	Belton, Kentucky, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Kentucky Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
Profession	Physical therapist

Melinda Gibbons Prunty (born December 5, 1957) is a Republican politician who represented Kentucky's 15th legislative district in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023. She did not seek reelection in 2022.

Personal life

Prunty earned a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from the University of Kentucky in 1979.[1] She also holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Indiana, which she completed in 2010.[1]

Prunty and her husband, Marshall, have three daughters – Kaci, Lindsay, and Hillary.[1] Marshall Prunty, a doctor, was unsuccessful in three attempts to capture the 15th district seat in the Kentucky House.[1][2]

Prunty was raised in the Methodist church, but converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult.[3][4] She served as director of the Office of Youth Ministry for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, resigning in 2016 to seek public office.[2][4]

Political career

In 2016, Prunty filed as a Republican to challenge incumbent Democrat Brent Yonts for his seat representing Kentucky's 15th district in the state House of Representatives.[1] She said her primary impetus for running was "getting pro-life legislation passed".[2] Her other stated priorities as a candidate were to reduce regulations, particularly those affecting small businesses and the coal industry; improving the quality and lowering the cost of healthcare, especially for veterans; reforming adoption law; and strengthening protections for religious freedom and gun rights.[1]

In the November 8, 2016, general election Prunty defeated Yonts by a vote of 10,597 to 7,973.[5] Yonts told The Messenger-Inquirer, "It wasn't me, it was Trump", noting that over half of the 15th district voted a Republican straight ticket, with presidential candidate Donald Trump at the top of the ballot.[6] Prunty's election was part of a Republican landslide in Kentucky that saw the party take control of the state House for the first time since 1921.[7] Including Prunty, 17 Republican challengers unseated Democratic incumbents in the election, turning a 53–47 Democratic majority into a 64–36 Republican majority.[7]

References

1. Hayse, Bobbie (October 28, 2016). "Longtime legislator Yonts faces Prunty, who seeks change for the 15th District". The Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky.
2. Gossum, Michael (November 21, 2016). "New Muhlenberg County Rep. focused on pro-life legislation". WBKO. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
3. Owen, Karen (May 24, 2003). "EcuCamp seeks youths for ecumenism". The Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky.
4. Owen, Karen (July 31, 2002). "Area group sees pope at World Youth Day". The Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky.
5. "On the Ballot". Lexington Herald-Leader. November 9, 2016.
6. Ramsey, Austin (November 9, 2016). "Prunty unseats Yonts; Schamore holds on in 10th District". The Messenger-Inquirer. Owensboro, Kentucky.
7. Beam, Adam; Schreiner, Bruce (January 3, 2017). "After 95 years, GOP takes control of Kentucky legislature". AP News. Retrieved January 1, 2020.