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Westerfield, Hogan Seeking GOP Nomination for Kentucky Attorney General

A state lawmaker and a county attorney are squaring off for the Republican nomination for Kentucky Attorney General in the May 19th primary. 

State Senator Whitney Westerfield of Hopkinsville faces Lawrence County Attorney Mike Hogan. 

Both men agree substance abuse and cyber crimes will be the most pressing issues for the next AG, but disagree over who is better qualified to lead the office.  

The 34-year-old Westerfield touts his legislative experience.

"As the top law officer of the commonwealth whose charge includes the public safety of Kentucky, I think it's a waste of the position to not engage with the General Assembly, and I have shown I can do that as a part of the General Assembly," Westerfield tells WKU Public Radio.

Westerfield, a former assistant commonwealth’s attorney, points to his efforts to revamp the state’s juvenile justice system and pass heroin legislation. Meanwhile, the 47-year-old Hogan says he has a lot more legal experience and doesn’t think legislative experience gives his opponent an upper hand.

"I do not," Hogan said.  "He's a freshman senator.  He's had one or two legislative sessions.  I don't see how being in the state legislature prepares anybody for being attorney general."

Hogan says the next attorney general should be a career prosecutor. 

The winner of the GOP primary will meet Andy Beshear in the November election.  The son of Governor Steve Beshear is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.