Ashley Tackett Laferty

Ashley Nicole Tackett Laferty is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 95th district. Elected in November 2018, she assumed office on January 1, 2019. Tackett Laferty is considered to be a conservative Southern Democrat. She is the last Democrat representing the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield in the Kentucky General Assembly.
Tackett Laferty is not running for reelection to the house in 2026, instead running for the 31st District Court.

Early life and education

Tackett Laferty was born in Martin, Kentucky. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law.

Career

Since graduating from law school, Tackett Laferty has worked as an attorney. She was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in November 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Larry Brown. She assumed office on January 1, 2019.
She was re-elected in 2020 with 60% of the vote, beating Republican challenger William Matt Reynolds and was re-elected in 2022 with 60% of the vote, defeating Republican Brandon Spencer. She once again defeated Spencer in 2024.

Legislation

Since 2019, Tackett Laferty has been a primary sponsor of the following bills which have been considered by at least one house:

Policy positions

Diversity, equity and inclusion

In 2025, Tackett Laferty was the lone House Democrat to vote for a bill eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public universities.

Homelessness

Tackett Laferty was the sole House Democrat to vote for the Safer Kentucky Act, which criminalized homelessness by banning "street camping" on public streets and under bridges.

Transgender youth in sports

Tackett Laferty opposes allowing transgender people to compete in sports that do not align with their biological sex. In 2022, she called for "little girls to play sports with little girls and little boys to play sports with little boys."