Meet Sara Beth Gregory
Sara Beth Gregory would bring a wealth of public service and legal experience to the position of Circuit Judge for the 57th Circuit, which is comprised of Russell County and Wayne County. She has a demonstrated record of conservative leadership, strong values, and integrity. She believes the role of a judge is to ensure justice and due process for all citizens by upholding the Constitution and applying the law without fear or favor.
A native of Wayne County, Sara Beth currently works as the Chief of Staff for Kentucky State Auditor Mike Harmon. Sara Beth learned the value of hard work at an early age from her parents, Conley and Joanna Gregory. She grew up around the family construction business and working with horses on her family’s farm. She showed Racking Horses competitively for many years and won a World Grand Championship title in 2004.
Sara Beth is a graduate of Monticello High School and earned a National Merit Scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, graduating summa cum laude with honors and went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from the UK College of Law, where she graduated second in her class and served as an Articles Editor on the board of the Kentucky Law Journal.
Following her graduation from law school, Sara Beth began her legal career as a law clerk for Senior Judge Eugene E. Siler, Jr., with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
She then returned to her hometown and practiced law for seven years as an attorney with the Carroll & Turner law firm in Monticello. Her private legal practice included handling both criminal and civil cases, primarily in the areas of personal injury, domestic relations, and business litigation. She also handled the majority of the firm's appellate work and was successful on appeals in both state and federal courts.
Sara Beth also previously served in public office, having been first elected as State Representative for the 52nd District in 2010 and winning re-election in 2012. She later won a special election and served as 16th District State Senator until 2014 and became the youngest State Senator ever elected at the age of 30. She has also served as 3rd Vice-President of the Kentucky Federation of Republican Women and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Kentucky until recently stepping down from those roles to pursue judicial office.
During her time in the legislature, Sara Beth served as a member of the committees on Appropriations & Revenue, Judiciary, Agriculture, Banking & Insurance, Administrative Regulations, and as chair of the Government Contract Review Committee. She sponsored many successful pieces of legislation and is particularly proud of spearheading the creation of Kentucky's Adult Caregiver Misconduct Registry (2014 Senate Bill 98).
In 2016, Sara Beth began working for the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts in 2016 as General Counsel. Now serving as Chief of Staff, she oversees the operations of an agency with approximately 130 employees in addition to providing legal and policy advice to the State Auditor.
Among other activities, Sara Beth is member of the First Baptist Church of Monticello, the Wayne County Fair & Horse Show Board, and the Monticello Kiwanis Club. She also loves to travel, spend time outdoors, and cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats.
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky
Honors & Awards
- Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland, 40 Under 40, 2021
- Kentucky Gazette, Notable Women in Kentucky Government & Politics, 2019
- The Council on Developmental Disabilities Vision Award, 2014
- Kentucky Assoc. of Sexual Assault Programs, Champion for Justice, 2014
- Kentucky Nonprofit Network, Nonprofit Advocacy Partner Award, 2014
- University of Kentucky College of Law, Young Professional Alumni Award, 2013
- University of the Cumberlands, Ethical Leadership Award, 2013
- State Legislative Leaders Foundation, Emerging Leaders Program, 2013
- Young Professionals of East Kentucky, Young Civic Professional Award, 2011
