Steven Rudy

Infobox State Representative


imagesize = 150px
name=Steven Rudy


state_house=Kentucky
state=Kentucky
district=1st
term_start=2005
term_end=
preceded=Charles Geveden
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|1978|08|09
place of birth=
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Jessica
profession=educator, business owner
religion=Methodist
party=Republican|

Steven Jack Rudy (born August 9, 1978) is a Kentucky politician and agribusiness owner, serving as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of RepresentativesRef|1 since defeating longtime Representative Charles Geveden in 2004.

Early life

Steven Jack Rudy was born to parents Bill and Jeanette Rudy of Ballard County on August 9, 1978. Rudy was educated in the Ballard County School system, and graduated from Ballard Memorial High School in 1996. Rudy attended college at the former Paducah Community College (now West Kentucky Community and Technical College) and graduated from Murray State University in 2000 with a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education.

Professional career

After graduating from Murray State University, Rudy began his teaching career. His teaching career was cut abruptly short in late 2002, while teaching agriculture at Lyon County Schools. Several allegations of inappropriate contact and harassment of a young, male, high school student in his class were made against Mr. Rudy, which Mr. Rudy later confessed to. Rudy was placed on a two-week unpaid suspension, consistent with first offense policies at the time, and was later given a letter of admonishment by the state Education Professional Standards Board. Rudy was not rehired the following year. - - - - Following the failure of his teaching career and subsequent inability to find a job anywhere else due to the allegations brought against him, Rudy decided to apply his agricultural training to the family business, Rudy's Farm Center, located in McCracken County, KY, near Paducah. Rudy is currently part-owner of the business and

Political career

In early 2004, Rudy declared his candidacy for State Representative in Kentucky's 1st Legislative District. Running against Representative Charles Geveden of Wickliffe a former prosecutor and Chair of the House State Government Committee with 17 years of service, Rudy launched a campaign against Rep. Geveden, including sending out mailers before the election stating that Geveden was in favor of many liberal social positions.

After the 2004 campaign, Rudy, buoyed by strong returns from McCracken County, defeated Geveden by around 1500 votes.

Rudy won re-election in 2006 handily, defeating retired Coast Guard veteran Thomas French by over 2000 votes. Critics chastised Rudy for running a campaign that touted his experience as a teacher without mentioning his past reprimands for misconduct.Ref|2

In the 2008 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, Rudy introduced his first and to date only piece of legislation. That legislation would allow for nuclear plants to be built in Kentucky without having a waste disposal facility. The legislation did not pass.

Rudy is being challenged in 2008 by McCracken County Circuit Clerk Mike Lawrence, a Vietnam veteran who has won two Bronze Stars and served as a reservist for 24 years.

Representative Rudy sits on the Agriculture & Small Business, Judiciary, and the Seniors, Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committees in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

References

1. Note|1 [http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legislator/H001.htm] Legislative Research Commission--Representative Steven Rudy

2. Note|2cite news |first=Elisabeth |last=Beardsley |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Ads Cite Candidate's Suggestion to 'End It All.' |url= |work= |publisher=The Courier-Journal |date=2006 |accessdate=2008-08-04

3. Note|3cite news |first=Bill |last=Bartleman |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Rudy's Endorsement May Come At Cost |url= |work= |publisher=The Paducah Sun |date=2007 |accessdate=2008-08-04