A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Candidates: Darrell Link wants to be your representative for Kentucky House District 61


As a lifelong resident of Grant County Kentucky, I have been a leader in my community and statewide. As Judge-Executive of Grant County, I served four terms as Grant County’s top elected official, serving on statewide boards, including a term as President of the Kentucky County Judge-Executive Association. I was hired in 2015 as the Executive Director of the statewide Council on Area Development Districts, providing leadership and assistance on infrastructure, economic development, and workforce development for all of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

When the attacks on education and working families began under the present administration, I felt compelled to step back into public service. I stood with Kentucky’s teachers last winter lobbying in Frankfort for pensions and funding for schools. I have spent much time in Frankfort over the years representing our county as judge-executive, with KACO and with the Area Development District. I know the inner workings of Frankfort and I am ready to perform on day one.

Darrell Link

After completing my final term in office in 2014, I left Grant County with a balanced budget with a $2.2 million surplus and a legacy of good government, transparency, and accomplishments. From infrastructure to county services, public protection and financial management were among the areas we brought significant improvements to during my tenure.

As the result of my leadership, all infrastructures in Grant County were rebuilt without a tax increase and waterlines were built in the entire county. We rebuilt the animal shelter in Grant County and it is now a model for the other counties to emulate.

Primary Accomplishments

$175 million in new housing and commercial development
Implemented centralized emergency 911 Service
Increased Recreation Budget 1000%
County park improvements and ballfields
Constructed 120 miles of county water lines for every homeowner
Health insurance for all county employees
New park at Helton Heights
New animal shelter
Created and funded job-creating industrial authority
New and replaced sewer lines
Wireless Internet for Grant County
Old library restoration and built new library
Road and highway improvements
$14.3 million judicial building construction
$10 million Williamstown viaduct bridge
$2.2 million Eagle Tunnel Bridge
Merged Sheriff’s Dept. with city police to better fight war on drugs
Improved county’s Standard & Poor’s bond rating to AA+
Paid off Health Department debt
Secured national military cemetery
Lowered tax rate every year!

A graduate of Northern Kentucky University, I reside on our family farm with my wife Candace Beighle Link. We have two children and three grandchildren.


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