In a release, Rothacker said he is running because he feels that Frankfort needs strong conservative leadership to lead Kentucky back to its success before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The state legislature should be fostering a pro-business environment across the state that incentivizes businesses to prosper and encourages individuals to rejoin the workforce,” Rothacker said.

If selected for the Republican nomination in the pending special election, Rothacker said he “will be a fierce voice for small business owners and the business community.” In the release, Rothacker said he will “apply his experience in law to advance public policy that maximizes the ease of individuals to gain access to justice; while maximizing efficiency within the legal system.”

“We all need to be able to equally assert our constitutional rights,” Rothacker said. “With this in mind, we should demand the legal system be vigilant with its resources provided by the public.”

Rothacker is an attorney with a background in high-risk litigation and Kentucky politics. He is a graduate of Campbellsville University and the University of Kentucky College of Law. He is currently an associate attorney with the law firm Circeo Fannin.

In addition to his work in private practice, Rothacker previously worked for Judge Robert Johnson on the Kentucky Court of Appeals and for Richard Bottoms, the Commonwealth Attorney for the 50th Judicial District.

Rothacker’s political experience includes an internship with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and work as a legislative staffer in the Kentucky General Assembly, where he said he assisted various members of the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Rothacker lives in Harrodsburg with his wife, Kaylynn, and son Gabriel.