Kentucky's 42nd House of Representatives district is one of 100 districts in the Kentucky House of Representatives. It comprises part of Jefferson County. It has been represented by Joshua Watkins (D–Louisville) since 2025. As of 2024, the district had a population of 42,179.
Voter registration On January 1, 2026, the district had 29,858 registered voters, who were registered with the following parties.
PartyRegistrationVoters%Democratic22,64375.84Republican3,59312.03Independent1,4925.00Libertarian1200.40Green470.16Socialist Workers190.06Constitution80.03Reform10.00 "Other"1,9356.48Total29,858100.00
List of members representing the district Member Party Years Electoral history District location Hughes McGill Democratic January 1, 1968 –January 22, 1971 Elected in 1967.Reelected in 1969.Died. 1964–1972Jefferson County (part). Charlotte McGill Democratic February 1971 –January 1, 1978 Elected to finish her husband's term.Reelected in 1971.Reelected in 1973.Reelected in 1975.Lost renomination. 1972–1974Jefferson County (part). 1974–1985Jefferson County (part). Aubrey Williams Democratic January 1, 1978 –January 1, 1985 Elected in 1977.Reelected in 1979.Reelected in 1981.Lost renomination. Benny Handy Democratic January 1, 1985 –January 1, 1989 Redistricted from the 39th districtand reelected in 1984.Reelected in 1986.Lost renomination. 1985–1993Jefferson County (part). Leonard Gray Democratic January 1, 1989 –December 11, 1995 Elected in 1988.Reelected in 1990.Reelected in 1992.Reelected in 1994.Resigned. 1993–1997Jefferson County (part). Eleanor Jordan Democratic February 22, 1996 –January 1, 2001 Elected to finish Gray's term.Reelected in 1996.Reelected in 1998.Retired to run for Kentucky's3rd congressional district. 1997–2003 Reginald Meeks Democratic January 1, 2001 –December 17, 2021 Elected in 2000.Reelected in 2002.Reelected in 2004.Reelected in 2006.Reelected in 2008.Reelected in 2010.Reelected in 2012.Reelected in 2014.Reelected in 2016.Reelected in 2018.Reelected in 2020.Resigned. 2003–2015 2015–2023 Keturah Herron Democratic February 28, 2022 –January 1, 2025 Elected to finish Meeks's term.Reelected in 2022.Retired to run for the Kentucky Senate. 2023–present Joshua Watkins Democratic January 1, 2025 –present Elected in 2024.
Elections 2024
2022
2022 special
2020
2018
2016
2014
2004
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