Joe Wright

Joseph “Joe” Richard Wright was a member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1976 to 1992 representing the state’s 5th district. From 1981 to 1992 he was the Majority Floor Leader for the Democratic Party. Early life Wright graduated from Breckinridge County High School where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. He then attended the University of Kentucky where he graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1962 with a Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture business. While at Kentucky he was president of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity chapter, a member of the freshmen basketball team, a member of Block and Bridle, and a member of the livestock judging team. After graduating, he returned to his home in Harned, Kentucky and became a small farmer. As a young man he was also a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Political career Kentucky State Senate Wright was first sworn in to the Kentucky State Senate in 1976 and first served on the Agricultural and Education committees. In the 1975 elections he defeated incumbent Earl Glenn in a three-way primary race and then defeated Bill Crowell in the general election. At the time, the district comprised precincts in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Meade, and Ohio counties.