Jacqueline Coleman

Jacqueline Coleman is an American educator and politician serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky since 2019, alongside Governor Andy Beshear. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the first woman elected to the office since 2003. Prior to her political career, Coleman worked as a high school teacher and basketball coach, and founded the nonprofit Lead Kentucky.

Early life and education

Jacqueline Coleman was raised in Burgin, a small community in Mercer County, Kentucky. Her family has a long history in Kentucky politics; her grandfather, William B. Coleman, served as the state representative for Boyle County and her mother, Judy Coleman, was the Mercer County Judge-Executive. She attended Mercer County Senior High School where she was a standout athlete. Coleman then pursued higher education at the University of Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political science. She later obtained a Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Louisville.

Career

Before entering politics, Coleman built a career in education. She taught Social studies and served as an assistant principal at Nelson County High School in Bardstown, Kentucky. She also coached the girls' basketball team at East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, Kentucky. In 2014, she founded the nonprofit organization Lead Kentucky, which focuses on developing leadership skills and creating mentorship opportunities for young women across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Her work in education and community leadership provided a foundation for her subsequent public service, connecting her with communities across the Bluegrass region.

Political career

Coleman's political involvement began with her work on various Kentucky Democratic Party campaigns. In 2014, she was the Democratic nominee for Kentucky House of Representatives in the 55th district, challenging incumbent Kim King but was unsuccessful. She later served as a senior advisor to Andy Beshear during his successful 2015 campaign for Attorney General of Kentucky. In 2018, Beshear selected her as his running mate for the 2019 Kentucky gubernatorial election. The Beshear-Coleman ticket defeated the incumbent Republican administration of Matt Bevin and Jenean Hampton in a closely contested election.

Lieutenant governorship

Coleman was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky on December 10, 2019. In this role, she has taken on significant policy portfolios, with a primary focus on education and economic development. Governor Andy Beshear designated her as the secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, making her the first lieutenant governor in state history to hold a cabinet-level position. She has been a prominent advocate for public education funding, teacher raises, and expanding broadband access, particularly in rural areas. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a key role in the administration's response efforts, often leading announcements on school safety and economic relief. Coleman also serves on the Kentucky Military Affairs Commission and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Personal life

Coleman is married to Chris O’Bryan, a former teacher and coach. The couple has two daughters and resides in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a member of the Kentucky Education Association and remains involved with her alma mater, the University of Kentucky. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family on their farm and is an avid supporter of Kentucky Wildcats athletics.

Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Lieutenant Governors of Kentucky Category:University of Kentucky alumni Category:University of Louisville alumni Category:Kentucky Democrats Category:Educators from Kentucky Category:People from Mercer County, Kentucky Category:Women state lieutenant governors in the United States