Election 2024: District 5 State House Representative candidates

We reached out to incumbent Mary Beth Imes (R) and her challenger Lauren Hines (D) and asked for narratives introducing themselves to voters and sharing why they are running for office. Outside of the 400-word limit, we placed no restrictions on the candidates’ responses. All were informed that their responses would be published as submitted. They are presented below in ballot order.

Mary Beth Imes (R)

I have the life experience of a wife, mother, grandmother, successful small business owner and four years experience serving the people of District 5. I have earned the respect of my parties’ leadership and can advance legislation that benefits the people I am honored to serve

I am running for re-election for State Representative to protect our Kentucky way of life and make certain that every Kentuckian has the opportunity to meet or exceed their goals in life.  I believe that government should continue to look for opportunities to remove barriers to job growth, continue to find ways to reduce spending and cut taxes, and reduce or eliminate government regulations that impair individuals opportunities to exercise their skills to become the very best they can be

I have been a tireless advocate for Murray in the General Assembly, including my personal efforts to champion legislation to bring a doctoral program in veterinary medicine to the University along with more then $40 million to fund its development I have put in a Bill Request 232 during the interim, so when we convene on January 7th 2025, we can move forward to pass this legislation

During the 2024 legislative session, we passed record funding for education. This is based on data provided by the Department of Education

We invested billions in our roads and bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, and local economic development sites

It has been one of the  greatest honors to serve as your 5th District Stare Representative. Please re-elect me, Mary Beth Imes, for your State Representative

Lauren Hines (D)

I’m Lauren Hines and I am your Democratic nominee for State House District 5. I’m running as a Community First Democrat that wants to put our people before partisan politics. I grew up right here in Western KY. Alongside my parents and grandparents, the Murray community raised me and inspired me to pursue public service. I graduated from Murray High School and Murray State University and the University of Kentucky. I have professional experience as a financial advisor and real estate professional along with 13 years as a teacher at Murray High School. I want to use my experiences and skills to create sound legislation that will benefit our public education and encourage further economic growth.

Even though I have left the classroom, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for my former students that endures beyond the time that they were entrusted to my care and I want to ensure that they have the same economic and educational opportunities that were available to me and previous generations, if not better. I want to help ensure that each class entering Kentucky’s schools benefits from our responsibility to provide them the best education possible. I want to be sure that we make smart and forward thinking policies that will reduce prices and increase wages not just for the time-being, but to build a future that the children we are working to educate in our classrooms throughout the state will inevitably inherit. I want to ensure that all of Kentucky’s citizens will have access to quality education, a decent living, and accessible healthcare.

We need someone in the legislature that can advocate for public education that has everyday experience with the diverse needs of our students, employees, and community stakeholders when education is one of the largest aspects of our state government.  We need someone who can deal with the political division and work with others to move forward. We need someone who has studied economic development and knows that the decisions made by our governments have real and lasting consequences that stretch far beyond the current political cycle. 

I want to be your next state representative so that Western Kentucky gets its fair share and so that our people get a fair shake. I may not have my own children, but I promise you that every step of this campaign has been for yours. I’d be grateful for your vote.

Thursday, Oct. 31, marks the start of no-excuse early voting. Until Saturday, Nov. 2, voters can cast their ballots at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 201 S. 4th St. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday (11/1) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (11/2).

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.