Jessamine County resident and EKU history professor Carolyn Dupont filed with the Secretary of State’s office Monday to run as the Democratic candidate for the 22nd district of the Kentucky State Senate.

Dupont’s husband, Greg Partain, was among the supporters representing each of the five counties in the district who were on hand for the filing.

“I’m very proud and humbled by the support of people from each of our counties,” Dupont said in an issued release. “We need and deserve a voice that speaks for all of us in this district. But we need more than just a voice. We need leadership that’s willing to fight for quality public education, our state workers’ pensions and someone who will stand up to big pharma in this opioid crisis. I’m here to be that leader.”

Dupont is a 14-year educator associate professor of American history at Eastern Kentucky University. In addition, she serves on the Faculty Senate at EKU and has been a passionate advocate for working families, publishing a piece condemning legislation that lowered the wages of working families.

“I know, first-hand, the many struggles that our families face each day,” Dupont said. “And I know many feel unheard and ignored. It’s time that changed in Frankfort.”