BENTON – In the wake of the announcement today that Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Foust is planning to retire next month, two candidates have come forward stating they will seek to fulfill Foust’s unexpired term as 42nd Judicial Court Circuit Court Judge.
When asked if he would be seeking the office, District Court Judge Jack Telle declined to say whether or not he intended to only making the comment that “Today is Dennis’ day,” adding his colleague has spent an impressive career being dedicated to his career and his community.
While several are still rumored to be considering making a run for the office, the two who made official announcements today are Jeff Edwards and Jamie Jameson. All candidates seeking office will be on the November general election and will have an August filing deadline.
Edwards has served as Marshall County Attorney for the past 18 years said in a release, “I have had the privilege of practicing before Judge Foust for more than 25 years and I am proud to call him my friend. He has been an outstanding jurist, an invaluable asset to our community, and his leadership will be sorely missed.”
“I want to express my gratitude to the people of Marshall County for the honor of serving you as County Attorney. My experience as a felony prosecutor for the Commonwealth, 18 years as Marshall County Attorney, tempered by my experience as a public defender, combined with my broad experience in family, juvenile, civil and probate courts provides me with a strong, balanced foundation and the judicial temperament necessary to best serve the citizens of Marshall and Calloway counties.
“In the coming months, I look forward to meeting with voters to share my vision for the court and to personally ask for their vote and support,” Edwards added.
As Marshall County Attorney, Edwards’s duties include prosecuting juvenile and misdemeanor crimes, managing guardianship and child support cases, as well as legal advisor to the Marshall County Fiscal Court and serving as a special prosecutor in various counties around the region. Edwards’s legal experience spans 28 years including a successful private practice in which he has handled a variety of civil cases ranging from personal injury and probate to bankruptcy and complex civil litigation.
Edwards resides in Benton and is married to the former Brenda Gregory of Benton. Together, they have two daughters Morgan and Claire. Jeff and Brenda are both active members of the First Baptist Church of Benton.
Jamie Jameson
Jameson is a Marshall County native who currently serves as a staff attorney for the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, Murray Trial office, will be entering the race focused on ensuring our families continue to have a judiciary who understands the concerns, challenges and potential of the local community.
“My entire life I’ve always strove to be a servant in whatever form the opportunity presented itself. With the retirement of Judge Dennis Foust, I believe I have a real opportunity to continue to make sure the citizens of Marshall and Calloway Counties get a fair shake from their judicial system,” Jameson said.
“I know how hard the people of this community work and, given the chance, I expect to work just as hard making sure everyone is treated fairly and respectfully by their courts. With the hope that I’ll be able to be a judge who can provide that kind of leadership, I’m looking forward to getting out into our community and earning the votes and the trust of local families.”
Jameson’s professional experience has focused on both consumer protection and overseeing serious criminal cases.
In 2008 Jameson was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve as Director of the Consumer Protection and Education Division of the Kentucky Department of Insurance. Beshear tasked Jameson with enforcement of Kentucky’s civil laws relating to insurance regulation including the prosecution of criminals attempting to defraud Kentucky consumers, many at a time when these families found themselves most vulnerable.
After heading investigations that lead to the accountability for numerous individuals and organizations attempting to defraud Kentucky consumers and taxpayers, Jameson left his role as Director to become an attorney with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, a role he still currently serves focusing on representing the indigent in serious felony matters; the same matters that come before a Circuit Court Judge.
The youngest of five children, Jamie was educated in the Marshall County Public School system, graduating Marshal County High School in 1994. After operating a well-known local music store, Jameson’s Music, for over a decade, Jameson became the first in his family to graduate college as a
Magna Cum Laude graduate of Murray State University. He later received his law degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. Jameson and his wife Jenny happily reside in Aurora, Ky with their nine-month-old baby daughter Julianne. A cancer survivor, Jamie is active in the music ministry at Olive Baptist Church and in our local community.
Jamie’s siblings are David, Lucy, Lynn, and Ross Jameson. In-laws, Don & Linda Cherry of Murray (pictured with Jamie, wife Jenny, and daughter Julianne in attached picture) serve as a Calloway County Magistrate and Murray City Council person respectively.
For more information, please contact Jamie Jameson at 859.391.9394 or james.t.jameson@gmail.com