# Ashley Tackett Laferty

Ashley Nicole Tackett Laferty (born May 10, 1979) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 95th district. Elected in November 2018, she assumed office on January 1, 2019. Laferty is considered to be a conservative Southern Democrat.

## Early life and education

Laferty was born in Martin, Kentucky. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law.

## Career

Since graduating from law school, Laferty has worked as an attorney. She was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in November 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Larry Brown. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. She was re-elected in 2020 with 60% of the vote, beating Republican challenger William Matt Reynolds and was re-elected in 2022 with 60% of the vote, defeating Republican Brandon Spencer.

### Legislation

Since 2019, Tackett Laferty has been a primary sponsor of the following bills which have been considered by at least one house:
| Bill | Title | House Vote | Senate Vote | Governor | Ky. Acts |
| 20 HB 499 | An act establishing celebratory commissions for the Kentucky State Parks Centennial, the Kentucky State Semiquincentennial, and the Old Fort Harrod Semiquincentennial | Passed 84–0 | Not voted | — | — |
| 22 HB 562 | An act relating to first responders | Passed 87–0 | Passed 36–0 | Signed | 2022 c. 94 |
| 23 HB 15 | An act relating to service animals | Passed 93–0 | Passed 37–0 | Signed | 2023 c. 169 |
| 24 HB 299 | An act relating to the establishment of a grant database | Passed 95–0 | Not voted | — | — |

## Electoral history
### 2014

2014 31st Kentucky Circuit Court, 2nd division primary election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nonpartisan | Ashley Tackett Laferty | 4,643 | 31.6 |
| | Nonpartisan | Thomas M. Smith | 4,157 | 28.3 |
| | Nonpartisan | David Allen Barber | 1,966 | 13.4 |
| | Nonpartisan | C. V. Reynolds | 1,924 | 13.1 |
| | Nonpartisan | Earl "Mickey" McGuire | 1,323 | 9.0 |
| | Nonpartisan | J. Sam Doyle | 692 | 4.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,705 | 100.0 |
2014 31st Kentucky Circuit Court, 2nd division election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Nonpartisan | Thomas M. Smith | 6,435 | 50.3 |
| | Nonpartisan | Ashley Tackett Laferty | 6,363 | 49.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,798 | 100.0 |

### 2018

2018 Kentucky House of Representatives 95th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ashley Tackett Laferty | 8,154 | 57.7 |
| | Republican | Larry D. Brown (incumbent) | 5,974 | 42.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,128 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2020

2020 Kentucky House of Representatives 95th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ashley Tackett Laferty (incumbent) | 10,720 | 60.0 |
| | Republican | William Matt Reynolds | 7,149 | 40.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,869 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

2022 Kentucky House of Representatives 95th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ashley Tackett Laferty (incumbent) | 8,775 | 59.8 |
| | Republican | Brandon Spencer | 5,890 | 40.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,665 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2024

2024 Kentucky House of Representatives 95th district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ashley Tackett Laferty (incumbent) | 10,721 | 56.3 |
| | Republican | Brandon Spencer | 8,330 | 43.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,051 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |