Dennis Parrett
Dennis Parrett | |
|---|---|
 Parrett in 2019 | |
| Minority Whip of the Kentucky Senate | |
| In office August 23, 2017 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Julian Carroll |
| Succeeded by | David Yates |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 10th district | |
| In office January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Tori |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Deneen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 30, 1959 |
| Died | June 7, 2026 (aged 66) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky |
Dennis L. Parrett (October 30, 1959 – June 7, 2026) was an American politician who served as a member of the Kentucky Senate from 2011 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Parrett represented Kentucky's 10th Senate district, which included Hardin County as well as part of Jefferson County.[1] From 2017 until his retirement in 2023, Parrett served as minority whip.
Early life and education
[edit]Parrett lived in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and graduated from West Hardin High School in 1977.[2] He went on to attend the University of Kentucky, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics in 1981.[3] Afterwards, he worked as an agricultural extension agent serving Hardin and Nelson counties, and later served in leadership roles at Southern States Cooperative and as co-owner of Cecilia Farm Services.[2][3] From 2002 to 2020, Parrett operated a crop insurance agency which he had founded.[3]
Political career
[edit]In 2010, Parrett was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Kentucky's 10th Senate district, and won the general election that November, unseating incumbent Republican senator Elizabeth Tori.[4][5] He was subsequently reelected in 2014 and 2018.[6]
In 2015, Parrett considered running for commissioner of agriculture, but ultimately decided against it.[7][8]
During the 2017 Kentucky General Assembly, Parrett alongside senator Danny Carroll established the sunny page program in honor of their daughters with special needs, which gives special needs children the opportunity to serve as a senate legislative page.[9][10] In August of that year, Parrett was elected minority whip by the Senate Democratic caucus following their removal of senator and former governor Julian Carroll from the position for allegations of sexual harassment.[11][12] Parrett remained as whip until his retirement in 2023.[11][2][13]
Personal life and death
[edit]Parrett resided in Elizabethtown alongside his wife, Lisa.[14] The couple had three daughters together, the youngest of whom has special needs.[14][15]
Parrett died on June 7, 2026, at the age of 66, following a long-term fight with dementia.[11][14]
References
[edit]- ↑ Latek, Tom (June 8, 2026). "Former state lawmaker Dennis Parrett dies at 66". Kentucky Today. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Kentucky Senate Resolution 216, RS22" (PDF). Legislative Research Commission. April 13, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Hall of Distinguish Alumni, 2024 - Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment". www.mgcafe.uky.edu. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky May 18, 2010 Official 2010 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Frankfort, Kentucky: Secretary of State of Kentucky. p. 15. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky November 2, 2010 Official 2010 General Election Results" (PDF). Frankfort, Kentucky: Secretary of State of Kentucky. p. 18. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
- ↑ "Dennis Parrett". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Democratic state Sen. Dennis Parrett mulling run for Kentucky agriculture commissioner". Lexington Herald-Leader. August 27, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ↑ "State Sen. Dennis Parrett decides against run for Agriculture Commissioner in 2015". Spectrum News. September 16, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
- ↑ Clabes, Jacob (January 31, 2023). "John Schickel: Kentucky Senate Page Programs is an exciting opportunity for high school students". NKyTribune. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Cox, John (January 31, 2017). "Kentucky State Senate Introduces Sunny Page Program for 2017 Session" (PDF). Legislative Research Commission. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Former Kentucky Senate Democratic whip dies • Kentucky Lantern". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ Autry, Lisa (August 24, 2017). "Democrats in Senate Leadership Announce Julian Carroll's Replacement". WKMS. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Dennis Parrett accepts leadership role in state Senate".
- 1 2 3 Thompson, Greg (June 7, 2026). "Dennis Parrett was a lover of life and people". Paxton Media Group. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Kentucky Lawmaker Seeks to Change Diploma System for Special Education". Louisville Public Media. October 27, 2011. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official page Archived June 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine at the Kentucky General Assembly
- Campaign site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Dennis Parrett at Ballotpedia
- Dennis L. Parrett at OpenSecrets