Democrat Pam Dossett, a local educator and Hopkinsville native, has filed papers to run for the 8th District state representative seat held by Republican Walker Thomas, she announced Wednesday, the first day candidacy paperwork could be submitted for 2022 elections.
It’ll be the second time she seeks the office. In 2020, Dossett won Christian County voters by a narrow margin but lost the district, which includes a portion of Trigg County, by a tally of 6,023 to 7,303.
Thomas, co-owner of Kentucky Moving and Storage in Hopkinsville and a past member of the Hopkinsville City Council, is serving his third term.
In her announcement, Dossett highlighted priorities including education, health care and local job creation.
“Western Kentucky is poised to become an area of growth and I think Hopkinsville can lead the way,” she said in the release sent via email by her campaign treasurer, Donna Johnson. “We have a homegrown workforce with our high school graduates every year. As a representative, I will work to ensure our students have the training and certifications they need to stay and work in our community.”
Dossett is an elementary reading and writing teacher at the Virtual Learning Academy. An educator for the last 20 years, she previously taught at Highland Elementary, Holiday Elementary and Sinking Fork Elementary.
“Our community is moving in the right direction with the addition of a state-of-the-art, academy-style high school,” Dossett said in the announcement. “When we let our students know they are a priority and set high expectations for them, they will strive to succeed and meet those expectations. Any time a new school is built, it is a benefit to the community and will promote positive growth. As a state representative, I want to continue this pattern of excellence and growth for our students and citizens.”
Dossett and her husband, Nelson, have four daughters, ranging in age from 18 to 22, one of whom has Type 1 diabetes, according to the release.
Dossett said the experience has provided her with an understanding of the “critical need for expanded healthcare and putting a price cap on life-saving drugs, such as insulin.”
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
