1st Appellate District Court of Appeals Candidates Participate in Forum

Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Appellate District Incumbent Chris McNeill and candidate Jenny Hines had a chance to speak during a forum Thursday evening.

The forum was hosted by Commonwealth Policy Center and WKYX Radio, with both speaking about their personal beliefs, as well as their career. Both are running for the chance to fill out the remainder of Shea Nickell’s term. Nickell was elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in November 2019.

Whoever wins the November General Election will serve the remainder of Nickell’s term through 2022.

McNeill received a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University and a Juris Doctorate from Northern Kentucky University. At the time of his appointment, McNeill was serving as the directing attorney at the Paducah office of Kentucky’s Department of Public Advocacy. He worked as a public defender for 19-years before joining the bench. He was appointed to the position in April and sworn-in by May.

McNeill said he believes the U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of democracy.

Hines earned a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University in 2006 and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 2009. Hines served in the U.S. Air Force from 2009 to 2013 and then began working under Judge Nickell as a staff attorney at the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Hines said she looks at the U.S. Constitution like she does the Bible.

Both candidates are Christians and both said they are pro-life, although McNeill stressed many times his personal beliefs should not get in the way of his job.

Both were asked which current or previous U.S. Supreme Court Justice their judicial philosophy lines up with.

McNeill said he currently lines up with Justice Neil Gorsuch.

Hines said her judicial philosophy most lines up with Justice Clarence Thomas.

She added Justice Thomas is a strong supporter of the first and second amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Kentucky Court of Appeals adjudicates cases where there was a dispute at the circuit court level with the exception of capital cases or life-sentences.

The complete forum can be heard below:

Part One