Gerina Whethers is making historical past in Louisville as the primary Black lady serving as Jefferson County’s Commonwealth’s Lawyer and prime prosecutor.
Whethers has been working since Could following the premature passing of long-time Commonwealth Lawyer Tom Wine, WDRB.com studies.
“I knew him very effectively,” Whethers stated in an interview with the outlet. “We’re nonetheless reeling from that, particularly from our workplace, and I perceive that change is hard.”
Final month, Gov. Andy Beshear introduced that he named Whethers as Wine’s successor. It’s the first time in Jefferson County {that a} Black lady has held this seat. Her time period will expire on Jan. 5, 2025, in line with a Could 17 WDRB report.
“I’d have been excited for anybody who would possibly appear like me,” the Louisville native stated, per WDRB’s June 9 report.
As a governor-appointed candidate, she might be on the poll in November, however Whethers is the one candidate to file for workplace, in line with WDRB’s Could article.
Whethers has 20 years of expertise in public service. She beforehand served because the secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cupboard, in line with WDRB. Earlier than that, she led two divisions within the Workplace of the Lawyer Normal. Her involvement in group organizations and boards contains serving as an govt board member for the NAACP’s Louisville Chapter.
Whethers’ appointment comes towards the backdrop of a racial and social justice motion sparked, partly, by the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor. The Commonwealth Lawyer’s workplace has additionally confronted criticism over police prosecutions in latest months, in line with WDRB.
As WDRB reported on June 9, Whethers stated, “There are issues that must be modified, and there are issues that we’re all engaged on.”
“I consider that folks on the desk are making adjustments,” she added. “One is working with not solely the mayor however our interim chief. I consider that she is right here for the appropriate motive so it’s time for us to capable of work collectively.”
Whethers hopes to scale back the size of time it takes for a defendant to face trial as a part of her efforts to guard victims of crime.
“There’s 4 million of us on this commonwealth what we need to proceed to do is to grasp that we’re all totally different. That signifies that all voices must be heard,” she stated.
As she celebrates this milestone second in Jefferson County, Whethers displays on the phrases of her late mom.
“If my mother was nonetheless alive that’s what she would say: that you must keep humble, keep grounded and bear in mind why you bought this spot,” she stated, per WDRB.
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