William Dakota Compton Elected Kentucky Democrats Rural Council Chair

 Frankfort, Ky.—Today, the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) announced that William Dakota Compton was elected as Chair of the Kentucky Democrats Rural Council. Dakota’s term as Chair of the Kentucky Democrats Rural Council officially begins February 13. Cherlyn Cook-Smith of Hardin County was elected as Vice Chair of the Council.

“Governor Beshear and Kentucky Democrats are laser-focused on improving the quality of life for our state’s rural communities, whether that be through record investments in high-speed internet or expanded access to quality, affordable health care,” said Colmon Elridge, Kentucky Democratic Party Chair. “As someone who was raised in rural Kentucky —- and is now raising a family here —- I and all of us at the Kentucky Democratic Party are excited to partner with Dakota as we create a state party that is better equipped to organize in rural communities year-round, recruit rural candidates who share our Democratic values, and bring our kitchen table message to every corner of this Commonwealth.”

“Kentucky Democrats are ready to send more rural leaders to Frankfort and Washington who will fight for rural Kentuckians — not against them,” said William Dakota Compton, Chair-Elect of the Kentucky Democrats Rural Council. “By organizing at the grassroots level and showing up everywhere, we can develop a party that wins in rural races up and down the ballot. I want to thank both Hank Linderman and Hildegard Pile for the work they have done to kickstart this council and give rural Democrats a seat at the table.”

William Dakota Compton is a music educator in Warren County and currently serves as a Commissioner on the Plum Springs City Commission. He is originally from Rocky Hill, where he lived on the line between Edmonson and Warren counties. 

The Kentucky Democrats Rural Council — which holds a seat on the Kentucky Democratic Party State Central Executive Committee — was first established in February 2021 to fight for rural communities and ensure that rural Kentuckians have an equal opportunity to realize the American Dream. Last year, the KDP launched its first-ever Rural Listening Tour, a state-wide campaign to engage rural voters in every corner of the Commonwealth. Upcoming Rural Listening Tour stops can be found on the KDP’s Mobilize page.