Steven Rudy

Steven Rudy
Steven Rudy
	Official portrait, 2021
Majority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 5, 2021
Preceded by	Bam Carney
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives; from the 1st district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 1, 2005
Preceded by	Charles Geveden
Personal details
Born	Steven Jack Rudy; August 9, 1978 (age 48)
Party	Republican
Spouse	Jessica Patton Rudy (m. 2006; died 2026)
Education	West Kentucky Community and Technical College (attended); Murray State University (BA)

Steven Jack Rudy (born August 9, 1978) is an American politician and agribusiness owner who has served as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2005. He represents Kentucky's 1st House district, which includes Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, and Hickman counties as well as part of McCracken County.

He has served as the House Majority Leader since 2021.

Early life

Steven Jack Rudy was born to parents Jack and Jeanette Rudy of Ballard County on August 9, 1978. Rudy was educated in the Ballard County School system and graduated from Ballard Memorial High School in 1996. Rudy attended college at the former Paducah Community College (now West Kentucky Community and Technical College) and graduated from Murray State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in agriculture education. While at Murray, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America.

Political career

Rudy was 26 when he made his first bid for public office in 2004. His opponent, Democrat Charles Geveden, had held the seat for 17 years and co-chaired the Kentucky General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on State Government.

Democrat Mike Lawrence, who ran against Rudy in 2008 and 2010, served several terms as McCracken County circuit court clerk. Rudy's 2020 Republican primary challenger, Carroll Hubbard, had represented Kentucky's 1st congressional district as a Democrat from 1975 to 1993. Hubbard switched parties in 2019.

Nuclear Energy

In the 2008 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, Rudy introduced legislation that would allow for nuclear plants to be built in Kentucky without having a permanent waste disposal facility, in an attempt to end the state's moratorium on nuclear power plants. The legislation did not pass.

In the 2009 regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly, Rudy refiled legislation to lift the moratorium on nuclear power plants. The General Assembly adjourned sine die that year without the matter passing the house, but the moratorium was later lifted during the 2017 regular session with the passage of the Robert J. Lepper Act. Rudy voted in favor of the bill's passage.

Elections

Rudy received the Republican nomination without a primary vote in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024, and 2026. In Kentucky, candidates without primary opponents do not appear on the primary ballot.

2004

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 2, 2004
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy	9,749	54.6
	Democratic	Charles Geveden (incumbent)	8,107	45.4
Total votes			17,856	100.0

2006

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 7, 2006
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	8,226	57.7
	Democratic	Thomas H. French	6,026	42.3
Total votes			14,252	100.0

2008

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 4, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	9,753	53.4
	Democratic	Mike Lawrence	8,505	46.6
Total votes			18,258	100.0

2010

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 2, 2010
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	8,494	59.4
	Democratic	Mike Lawrence	5,804	40.6
Total votes			14,298	100.0

2012

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 6, 2012
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	14,080	100.0
Total votes			14,080	100.0

2014

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 4, 2014
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	13,017	100.0
Total votes			13,017	100.0

2016

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 8, 2016
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	14,046	70.2
	Democratic	Michael Murphy	5,963	29.8
Total votes			20,009	100.0

2018

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 6, 2018
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	11,050	67.0
	Democratic	Desiree Owen	5,445	33.0
Total votes			16,495	100.0

2020

Kentucky House District 1 Republican primary, June 23, 2020
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	3,258	85.7
	Republican	Carroll Hubbard	543	14.3
Total votes			3,801	100.0

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 3, 2020
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	17,836	100.0
Total votes			17,836	100.0

2022

Kentucky House District 1 Republican primary, May 17, 2022
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	2,176	61.0
	Republican	Christopher M. Tucker	1,394	39.0
Total votes			3,570	100.0

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 8, 2022
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	12,590	100.0
Total votes			12,590	100.0

2024

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 5, 2024
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	16,074	76.7
	Democratic	Fredrick Fountain	4,881	23.3
Total votes			20,955	100.0

2026

Kentucky House District 1 general election, November 3, 2026 (unofficial results)
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steven Rudy (incumbent)	10,897	100.0
Total votes			10,897	100.0

References

1 2 "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
↑ "GOP-dominated Kentucky House presses forward with legislative goals". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
↑ "The Shield Yearbook". Murray State University Yearbooks. Murray State University: 212. 2000. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
↑ Sanders, Matt (January 9, 2005). "Politician Long in the Making" (PDF). The Paducah Sun. Reprinted in the Congressional Record, February 9, 2005, p. S1191.
↑ "Minutes of the Interim Joint Committee on State Government". Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. November 22, 2004.
↑ "Lawrence files against Rudy". West Kentucky Journal. January 27, 2010.
↑ "Hubbard, Carroll, Jr". United States House of Representatives.
↑ "Carroll Hubbard". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "08RS House Bill 542". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
↑ "09RS House Bill 376". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
↑ "17RS Senate Bill 11". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
↑ "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2004". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
1 2 "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2006". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "Steven Rudy". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "Candidates". Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "November 2, 2004 Official General Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "November 4, 2008 Official General Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "Official 2010 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 27. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2012 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 25. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2014 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 24. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2016 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 26. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2018 General Election Certified Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 21. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2020 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2020 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 31. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2022 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 25. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2022 Certified General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 28. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2024 General Election Certification, as amended December 9, 2024" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.
↑ "2026 General Election: Election Night Reporting". Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

Kentucky House of Representatives

Preceded by

Bam Carney

Majority Leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives
2021–present

Incumbent

[:1-1] 1 2 "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2024.

[2] "GOP-dominated Kentucky House presses forward with legislative goals". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved September 9, 2024.

[3] "The Shield Yearbook". Murray State University Yearbooks. Murray State University: 212. 2000. Retrieved December 9, 2021.

[4] Sanders, Matt (January 9, 2005). "Politician Long in the Making" (PDF). The Paducah Sun. Reprinted in the Congressional Record, February 9, 2005, p. S1191.

[5] "Minutes of the Interim Joint Committee on State Government". Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. November 22, 2004.

[6] "Lawrence files against Rudy". West Kentucky Journal. January 27, 2010.

[7] "Hubbard, Carroll, Jr". United States House of Representatives.

[8] "Carroll Hubbard". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[9] "08RS House Bill 542". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2024.

[10] "09RS House Bill 376". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2024.

[11] "17RS Senate Bill 11". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved May 29, 2024.

[12] "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2004". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[Rudy2006-13] 1 2 "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2006". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[14] "Kentucky House of Representatives elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[15] "Steven Rudy". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[16] "Candidates". Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[17] "November 2, 2004 Official General Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[18] "November 4, 2008 Official General Election Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[19] "Official 2010 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 27. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[20] "2012 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 25. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[21] "2014 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 24. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[22] "2016 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 26. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[23] "2018 General Election Certified Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 21. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[24] "2020 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 30. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[25] "2020 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 31. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[26] "2022 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 25. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[27] "2022 Certified General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. p. 28. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[28] "2024 General Election Certification, as amended December 9, 2024" (PDF). Kentucky State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

[29] "2026 General Election: Election Night Reporting". Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2026.

v t e Statewide elected officials and legislative leaders of Kentucky
U.S. senators	Mitch McConnell Rand Paul
State government	Andy Beshear, Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Lieutenant Governor Michael Adams, Secretary of State Russell Coleman, Attorney General Mark Metcalf, Treasurer Allison Ball, Auditor Jonathan Shell, Agriculture Commissioner
Senate	Robert Stivers, President David P. Givens, President pro tempore Max Wise, Majority Leader Gerald Neal, Minority Leader
House	David W. Osborne, Speaker David Meade, Speaker pro tempore Steven Rudy, Majority Leader Pamela Stevenson, Minority Leader
Supreme Court	Debra H. Lambert, Chief Justice Robert B. Conley, Deputy Chief Justice Michelle M. Keller Christopher Shea Nickell Kelly Thompson Angela McCormick Bisig Pamela R. Goodwine, Justices

v t e Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives
Speaker David W. Osborne (R) Speaker pro tempore David Meade (R) Majority Leader Steven Rudy (R) Minority Leader Pamela Stevenson (D)
▌Steven Rudy (R) ▌Kim Holloway (R) ▌Randy Bridges (R) ▌Wade Williams (R) ▌Mary Beth Imes (R) ▌Chris Freeland (R) ▌Suzanne Miles (R) ▌Walker Thomas (R) ▌Myron Dossett (R) ▌Josh Calloway (R) ▌J. T. Payne (R) ▌Jim Gooch Jr. (R) ▌DJ Johnson (R) ▌Scott Lewis (R) ▌Rebecca Raymer (R) ▌Jason Petrie (R) ▌Robert Duvall (R) ▌Samara Heavrin (R) ▌Michael Meredith (R) ▌Kevin Jackson (R) ▌Amy Neighbors (R) ▌Shawn McPherson (R) ▌Steve Riley (R) ▌Ryan Bivens (R) ▌Steve Bratcher (R) ▌Peyton Griffee (R) ▌Nancy Tate (R) ▌Jared Bauman (R) ▌Chris Lewis (R) ▌Daniel Grossberg (D) ▌Susan Witten (R) ▌Tina Bojanowski (D) ▌Jason Nemes (R) ▌Sarah Stalker (D) ▌Lisa Willner (D) ▌John Hodgson (R) ▌Emily Callaway (R) ▌Rachel Roarx (D) ▌Matt Lockett (R) ▌Nima Kulkarni (D) ▌Mary Lou Marzian (D) ▌Joshua Watkins (D) ▌Pamela Stevenson (D) ▌Beverly Chester-Burton (D) ▌Adam Moore (D) ▌Al Gentry (D) ▌Felicia Rabourn (R) ▌Ken Fleming (R) ▌Thomas Huff (R) ▌Candy Massaroni (R) ▌Michael Pollock (R) ▌Ken Upchurch (R) ▌James Tipton (R) ▌Daniel Elliott (R) ▌Kim King (R) ▌Daniel Fister (R) ▌Erika Hancock (D) ▌Jennifer Decker (R) ▌David W. Osborne (R) ▌Marianne Proctor (R) ▌Savannah Maddox (R) ▌Tony Hampton (R) ▌Kim Banta (R) ▌Kimberly Poore Moser (R) ▌Stephanie Dietz (R) ▌T. J. Roberts (R) ▌Matthew Lehman (D) ▌Mike Clines (R) ▌Steven Doan (R) ▌William Lawrence (R) ▌Josh Bray (R) ▌Matthew Koch (R) ▌Ryan Dotson (R) ▌David Hale (R) ▌Lindsey Burke (D) ▌Anne Gay Donworth (D) ▌George Brown Jr. (D) ▌Mark Hart (R) ▌Chad Aull (D) ▌David Meade (R) ▌Deanna Gordon (R) ▌Nick Wilson (R) ▌Josh Branscum (R) ▌Chris Fugate (R) ▌Shane Baker (R) ▌Tom Smith (R) ▌Adam Bowling (R) ▌Vanessa Grossl (R) ▌Timmy Truett (R) ▌Derek Lewis (R) ▌Bill Wesley (R) ▌John Blanton (R) ▌Adrielle Camuel (D) ▌Mitch Whitaker (R) ▌Ashley Tackett Laferty (D) ▌Patrick Flannery (R) ▌Bobby McCool (R) ▌Aaron Thompson (R) ▌Richard White (R) ▌Scott Sharp (R)
▌Republican (80) ▌Democratic (20) Kentucky General Assembly House Senate List of past Assemblies