Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter
Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter won’t run for reelection in 2024, opening up the field for a new justice to be elected next year to fill his vacancy.
VanMeter, who represents the 5th Supreme Court District covering much of central Kentucky, has served in various roles in Kentucky’s judicial branch over nearly three decades including as a district and circuit judge in Fayette County, an appeals court judge and seven years as a justice.
VanMeter in a statement said it’s the “greatest privileges of my professional life” to serve central Kentuckians as a justice and that he was making his announcement to allow for qualified lawyers and judges to have time to consider running for his seat.?
“I am grateful and humbled by the trust of voters, my colleagues, and for the support of my family. I will honor the trust reposed on me by finishing this term dedicated fully to the judicial process for the people of Kentucky,” VanMeter said.?
VanMeter assumed the role of chief justice at the start of this year, replacing longtime chief justice John D. Minton Jr. who didn’t seek reelection in 2022.?
Justices serve eight-year terms and are elected in nonpartisan races. VanMeter was elected to his position in 2016 defeating Glen Acree, who is now an appeals court judge.?
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Liam Niemeyer
Liam covers government and policy in Kentucky and its impacts throughout the Commonwealth for the Kentucky Lantern. He most recently spent four years reporting award-winning stories for WKMS Public Radio in Murray.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
