The justices of the Supreme Court of Kentucky voted on Tuesday to elect Justice Laurance B. VanMeter as the next chief justice of the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Chief Justice-elect VanMeter will serve a four-year term beginning January 2, 2023.
“We appreciate Justice VanMeter’s hard work, dedication and leadership as an experienced member of the judiciary and a valued member of the Supreme Court,” Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. said. “With this election, the justices have put their trust in Justice VanMeter to uphold the integrity of the court system and ensure the efficient administration of justice across the commonwealth.”
VanMeter will succeed Minton, who is retiring January 1 after serving more than 14 years as administrative head of the Judicial Branch.
VanMeter said he is honored to have the opportunity to serve Kentucky as the next chief justice.
“I am extremely humbled by the vote of confidence my colleagues have shown in me to be the next head of the Kentucky Court of Justice,” he said. “Of course, we are saying goodbye to our long-serving chief justice, John D. Minton Jr., who leaves incredibly large shoes to fill. I hope in some small way to live up to the standards he has set. And I need to mention Deputy Chief Justice Lisabeth T. Hughes, who is also retiring. Her wisdom and leadership has greatly contributed to the stability of our courts.”
VanMeter was elected to the Supreme Court in November 2016 from the 5th Supreme Court District. Upon taking office on January 2, 2017, he became the third Supreme Court justice to have served at all four levels of the Kentucky unified court system.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
