24 to watch in 2024: Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, a rising ‘Liberty’ GOP star
The Lexington Herald-Leader is profiling 24 individuals this month that you should be keeping an eye on in 2024. The selected group represents a cross-section of industries, political parties, missions and the state itself. We believe each is notable for their contributions to Kentucky, as well as their plans for the next 12 months.
Who: Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Springfield. She’s serving her second legislative session representing Senate District 6 (Oldham, Trimble and portions of Jefferson County).
Background: A real estate agent from Oldham County, Tichenor was first elected to office in 2022 after winning a GOP primary by eight points despite getting outspent more than 4-to-1. In her first term, Tichenor drew criticism from LGBTQ rights advocates and praise from social conservatives for sponsoring a bill that would, among other things, ban drag performances from public spaces. She was also a strong supporter of Senate Bill 150, which banned gender-affirming medical care for trans youth.
Why 2024 will be notable: Tichenor is one of a growing group of Republican lawmakers focused on pushing the caucus to the right on social conservative issues like limiting drag performances; restricting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and making changes to local school boards. Tichenor’s star has risen among the state’s political right, particularly the informal conservative ‘Liberty’ wing of state Republicans. She filed a resolution claiming that many people arrested for involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol have been “wrongfully held;” shortly after, an identical resolution was narrowly passed by the state Republican party’s governing board. She told the Herald-Leader she plans to file a bill similar to the one limiting drag performances in public spaces this year and will work on diversity, equity and inclusion legislation and school board reforms.
Why do you think she will be successful in 2024?: “She didn’t come in thinking that she knew everything, but she she knows what her principles are,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said. “She has an excellent working relationship with leadership, and I believe she’s developed a level of respect in the caucus.”
Why is 2024 such an important year for you or your organization? “What we witnessed in testimony on Capitol Hill about anti-Semitism on our campuses made it very clear that D.E.I. (diversity, equity and inclusion) is is not serving everyone as it intends to do and it instead divides people and excludes certain people who don’t fit within that model. I think it needs to be addressed.”
