Beth Constant Ratley, a lifelong Grayson County resident, has announced her intention to run for District Court Judge, Division I for the 46th Judicial District, covering Grayson, Meade and Breckinridge Counties.
Judge Kenneth H. Goff resigned his seat as judge in the 46th Judicial District in January after being appointed by Gov. Matt Bevin to fill the 46th Circuit Court judgeship, following the death of Judge Robert Miller in September 2018. Goff was sworn-in on February 1, 2019.
The district judge position left vacant by Goff’s appointment will be filled in a special, non-partisan election on November 5, 2019.
Ratley said that after seven years representing clients in private practice, she was honored to be appointed by the late the Judge Miller to serve as the Domestic Relations Commissioner and Master Commissioner for Grayson County.
“Ten years later, I still serve as your Commissioner, hearing custody and divorce cases in Grayson, Breckinridge and Meade Counties and Master Commissioner in Grayson County,” Ratley said.
Ratley is a 1994 graduate of Grayson County High School and 1997 alumni of Georgetown College. She said graduating from the University of Louisville School of Law in 2001 fulfilled a lifelong dream to become an attorney which led her to return to her hometown in 2002 to set up her practice.
“Grayson County has always been home,” Ratley said. “I am very fortunate to have practiced law among my friends and neighbors. I started out my legal career helping families in juvenile court and I have always kept those cases close to my heart as I continued my legal practice.”
Early in her career, Ratley said she associated with long-time attorney Donald W. Cottrell and her husband, attorney Clay Ratley, on the square in Leitchfield.
“Those early days in my law practice taught me that each and every case is important,” she said, adding that, “Being in the courtroom is part of what I do every day, but for families it is their single and most important day in court.”
Ratley notes that she has considerable experience working in Grayson, Meade and Breckinridge Counties as Domestic Relations Commissioner.
“As Domestic Relations Commissioner I have heard thousands of cases and ruled on evidence and issued rulings,” she said. “I appreciate the demands of this judgeship because I have traveled to, heard cases, and worked alongside court personnel in these three counties for 10 years.”
As your next District Judge, Ratley said she will collaborate with court personnel to implement teen court in Breckinridge and Grayson counties, following the model established in Meade County.
To provide resources for those individuals who appear before her, she said she has reached out to parents of special needs children, mental health professionals, drug rehabilitation specialists, veterans support groups, teachers, health care professionals and other organizations in our communities.
In addition to traveling the circuit and ruling on important and difficult cases, Ratley said she puts a priority on giving back — She has served as a trustee for the Grayson County Library, attorney for the City of Clarkson, and is also a past president of the Grayson County Women’s Club. She volunteers with the Grayson County Alliance (food pantry), and is a current member of the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce, Grayson County Rotary Club, and Twin Lakes Professional Women.
Additionally, Ratley serves as “assistant librarian” for her son Daniel’s Free Little Library, an ongoing community service project.
“I have always been involved in my community and I believe that our next judge should be a public servant and not someone you elect and never see,” Ratley said. “You know me and see me. I wear several hats. I am a lawyer, a mom, a wife, daughter and all that I can be to help others. I am excited to run for the position of District Judge and would be honored to serve the citizens of these three counties as I have for the past decade!”
Ratley and her husband have one son, their pride and joy, 11-year-old Daniel. She is the daughter of local realtor R.C. Constant and retired Grayson County Middle School counselor Sharon Constant.
“I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones as I am out campaigning and asking for your vote,” she said.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
