State Rep. Suzanne Miles is seeking re-election to as Kentucky State Representative for the 7th District, a seat she has held since winning a special election in 2013. Miles said she remains focused on the foundational issues of education, infrastructure, and public safety.
“My focus has always been how we best invest taxpayer dollars to serve the people we represent,” said Miles, a Republican. “We’re in a budget year now, and those decisions matter.”
A Daviess County native, Miles brings more than a decade of legislative experience to the race. In 2018, she was elected by her colleagues as Majority Caucus Chair, becoming the first woman to serve in a leadership role within the House Republican caucus. She has been re-elected to that position in each cycle since, making her one of five current leaders in the House majority.
“Leadership allows me to have a seat at the table and be a voice for western Kentucky,” she said. “It’s not about power. It’s about representing our values and making sure our region’s priorities are heard.”
Those values are deeply rooted in her background. Miles, 55, grew up working on the family farm and later owned a women’s clothing store in Owensboro for nearly 16 years. She said those early years taught her the importance of customer service, something she has carried into public office.
“My career has always revolved around helping people,” she said. “Whether it was running a store or serving constituents, it’s about listening and trying to make life better.”
Miles said she is especially proud of her work on human trafficking legislation, healthcare workforce expansion, and criminal justice reforms. She sponsored a bill to enhance penalties for human traffickers and improve law enforcement coordination, which she said led to a successful rescue of a young person in Kentucky.
“Helping one child changes the path for her future,” she said. “That makes everything we do in Frankfort worth it.”
She also sponsored the HealthForce Kentucky initiative, which brought significant state funding to the Green River area to support healthcare training and facilities. She acknowledged the role of legislation and bipartisan cooperation in securing the funding.
“Our healthcare workforce crisis didn’t happen overnight, and it won’t be solved overnight,” she said. “But we’re making progress.”
Miles said she has also been active in shaping Kentucky’s energy policy, supporting the coal industry while exploring the role of nuclear energy in the state’s future. She currently serves on national energy committees and said she’s committed to ensuring a stable and diversified energy supply.
Other priorities include protecting Kentucky’s agricultural community, maintaining a responsible budget, improving education funding, and gradually eliminating the state income tax while preserving services for those in need.
“There are a lot of things that aren’t flashy but are incredibly important — pensions, infrastructure, long-term planning,” she said. “We’ve worked hard to put Kentucky in a better position than we were a decade ago.”
Miles said she never intended to enter politics but was drawn to public service after years in the family business and retail. She remains active in Panther Creek Baptist Church and said she tries to give back in quieter ways, like baking for friends and neighbors.
“I want to believe that we’re better today than we were before I was elected,” she said. “And I still believe in showing up and doing the work.”
If re-elected, the 2026 term would mark her seventh full term in the Kentucky House.
