Wright Jolly announces candidacy for Barren County Circuit Court Clerk

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

As the sun was setting on the third day of the new year, Julie Wright Jolly threw her hat in the political arena and announced her candidacy for Barren County Circuit Court Clerk.

Wright Jolly — who, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website, filed on Nov. 22 as the Republican challenger that will go up against Democrat Krissie Coe Fields in November’s general election — was born near Hiseville before moving to Cave City.

The announcement event, which was a George Js on the Square in Downtown Glasgow, was attended by numerous public officials, both local and statewide, including Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd and county clerk Helena Chase Birdwell, both of whom are Republicans.

An aide from Kentucky Representative Steve Riley, who could not attend in person due to prior commitments in Frankfort, said Riley would soon be endorsing Wright Jolly. He joins the three other endorsements Wright Jolly has already garnered.

According to Wright Jolly, she has been waiting to run for circuit court clerk for 23 years, all the while working at a local law firm and Barren-Metcalfe Family Court, which provides her the experience she deems necessary to hold the office and sparked the interest in the position.

“I went to the circuit court here in Barren County and as soon as I walked in I was mesmerized,” Jolly said. “The energy in that office was just amazing. It was the place to be, and that’s where I wanted to be…I had worked with other circuit courts in surrounding counties and none were like Barren. They were the top circuit court at that time.”

“On that day I knew I wanted to be the circuit court clerk,” she added.

At the announcement event, and during a prior interview, Wright Jolly said she brings leadership skills, passion and experience that, though she said she will run a “positive campaign,” is lacking in the current circuit court clerk’s office.

Krissie Coe Fields is the incumbent circuit court clerk. She has served in the position for 17 years.

“I intend to keep my campaign very positive because that’s just who I am,” Wright Jolly said. “I have over 23 years of legal experience as I’ve worked in a law firm and also in family court [and] I feel like my experience will outweigh [Krissie Coe Fields] just having the title because if you have the title but you don’t work and you’re not in their with your deputies…then you’re not moving your office forward.”

“I feel like I know where we need to go and I can get us there,” she added.

Wright Jolly said her focus would be on training and confidentiality pledging at the late afternoon rally that people’s “information would be safe” under her watch.

“I believe we could improve in a lot of areas,” she said.

This is her first time running for public elected office and though she “won’t be able to go yard sign for yard sign or billboard for billboard” with Coe Fields, she is confident and excited to begin the 11 month journey to November.

“I humbly ask for your vote and support because I have passion for the job; I have experience; I have leadership skills and I know what it takes to do the job correctly,” Wright Jolly said. “I’m a hard worker and if elected I’m going to work hard for Barren County.”

“I’m so excited. I’m ready to start.” she added.