July 17, 2008 08:42 am
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By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer
Saturday, the Republican Party Executive Committees from Knox and Laurel counties met to nominate the person who will represent the Republican Party in the November general election for Commonwealth’s Attorney of the 27th Judicial Circuit.
The man they unanimously nominated is Jackie Steele.
“It’s a great honor to be selected by the Laurel and Knox Republican Party and be on the ballot for them,” Steele said. “I was very pleased.”
In June, Steele, a London native, was sworn in as the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit, which serves Knox and Laurel counties, after his appointment by Gov. Steve Beshear. He graduated from South Laurel High School in 1993 and the University of the Cumberlands in 1998. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 2001.
Following this, he practiced civil law with the Weatherly Law Office in London before accepting a full-time position as an assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2003. Since that time, he has prosecuted a number of felony cases including theft, drug-trafficking and murder.
Steele said he feels his experience prosecuting these cases, as well as his time served in the role of Commonwealth’s Attorney, will aid him greatly in seeking the position on a more long-term basis. He also said he has an idea of what citizens have in mind as far as justice in the legal system.
“I have the experience with prosecuting for the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the past five years,” he said. “I also understand justice takes many forms. I kind of have an understanding with how people in the community feel.”
Steele said aside from a few additional administrative duties, his time spent as Commonwealth’s Attorney has been similar to that when he was an assistant, and that the majority of the staff from that time is still in place at the Commonwealth Attorney’s office.
“It’s went really well,” he said. “The transition’s been exceptionally smooth. The staff is really good.”
The show of support from the Republican party, Steele said, is something he is extremely grateful for and he said, if elected, he will work hard to serve the two counties he would represent.
“I’ll do my best to make both Laurel and Knox counties proud,” Steele said.
Brad Hicks can be reached at bhicks@the
timestribune.com
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