Meet the candidates in the Fayette County sheriff’s race

In campaigning for re-election, Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt points to her lengthy experience in the job as a big reason voters should support her again.

But her opponent, Thomas “Tucker” Bulleit says her tenure does a disservice to the office.

Witt was first elected as the sheriff in 1998 after her predecessor, Harold Buchignani, retired. She has served as sheriff ever since.

“I’m so proud of so many things our office has done,” Witt said. “I’m just part of that team but I am really proud of their work.”

On the flip side, Bulleit believes that with Witt’s long tenure, her resume should be stronger. He said the department has fallen behind due to her management style, and he’s the candidate to get it back on track.

“The effectiveness of the office has dropped, and this is all reflected upon the inefficient use of your tax dollars,” Bulleit said. “I am an individual that actually wants to make a difference in his community.”

During her 24-year tenure as sheriff, Witt said she has started several programs and initiatives in an attempt to better the community.

One that she’s most proud of is the Amanda Center, a 24-hour point of contact for domestic violence victims.

The Amanda Center opened in 2012, but it’s since grown to serve victims of all crimes. Witt said the program has won multiple national and international awards. The program has since grown and now serves victims of crimes.

“We’ve had a lot of … families come to Amanda Center because they didn’t know where else to go,” Witt said.

Witt has also added body cameras on all deputies, a K9 unit with an explosive detection dog, mobile data computers in all vehicles and collected over $400 million dollars per year in property tax while never reporting a negative finding, she said.

She has spent 39 years working in the criminal justice system.

This is Bulleit’s first time running for office and he has spent most of his adult life working for Bulleit Land and Cattle in Paris, where he manages 320 head of cattle and 500 acres of soybeans and non-GMO corn. He also worked as an intern for a Lexington federal judge from 2008 to 2009.

Bulleit decided to run for sheriff over a year ago. He earned a graduate certificate from Boston University’s Masters of Criminal Justice program, according to Bulleit’s campaign website.

If elected, one of Bulleit’s main objectives is to dedicate more money for the deputies. He said he conducted a survey of the office that revealed morale across the office was low.

Bulleit said he wants to be an advocate for the voice of individuals doing the frontline work in the office.

“To this day, deputies still haven’t seen a dollar from the 2021 distribution of $361,000 from the city,” Bulleit said.

Witt said one of her big missions is to address officer wellness.

She wants to make sure that deputies are fit for their job physically, mentally and emotionally.

“They can’t serve at their best if inside they’re not well,” Witt said.

Witt also said she wants to use a youth engagement grant from the Department of Juvenile Justice to start a program to engage with troubled juveniles in Fayette County.

“I am committed,” Witt said. “I think that my walk has matched my talk, and I think that this community trusts me and I think they count on me.”

Both Witt and Bulleit are registered as Democrats. The winner of the primary will face Christopher Holliday, the only Republican who has filed to run for Fayette County sheriff.

The campaign has caused some controversy after Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said Bulleit had used Gorton’s picture on a recent campaign advertisement without her permission.

Bulleit sent a mailer to residents that included a photo of Bulleit and Gorton together.

“In my 19 years in politics I have never endorsed any candidate for office. I have always remained a non-partisan, independent voice for Lexington,” Gorton said. “Although my picture has been used without my permission in a recent campaign mailer, I have not endorsed any candidate in the May 17th primaries and do not intend to.”

Bulleit said he is new to politics and made a mistake by including the photo with Gorton.

Kathy Witt

Work experience: Fayette County sheriff since 1998, has spent her entire career with the sheriff’s office since 1985.

Offices held: Currently the Fayette County sheriff, the Federal Bureau of Investigation CJIS Advisory Policy Board chair and the Federal Bureau of Investigation CJIS Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Task Force chair.

Family: Has two children, Morgan and Lucas, and three grandchildren. Husband, Elmer, is a retired firefighter.

Tucker Bulleit

Work experience: Operations manager at Bulleit Land and Cattle, previously an intern for a Lexington federal judge.

Offices held: First time running for office.

Family: Single.