Rick Nelson (politician)

Rick G. Nelson (born June 11, 1954) is an American politician who served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for the 87th district from January 2001 to January 2019.

He ran for Kentucky state treasurer in the 2015 elections to succeed term-limited Democratic incumbent Todd Hollenbach, but lost to Republican Allison Ball.

Education
Nelson was born in Black Star Coal Camp, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and a Master of Arts from Eastern Kentucky University.

Elections

 * 2018: Nelson did not file to run for re-election, deciding to retire.
 * 2016: Nelson was unopposed for the May 17, 2016 Democratic primary and won the November 8, 2016 general election with 7,224 votes (51.50%) against Republican nominee Chad Shannon.
 * 2015: Nelson filed to run for Kentucky State Treasurer on November 20, 2014. Nelson was part of a five candidate Democratic Primary on May 19, 2015. Nelson would win the primary with 44,397 votes over second-place finisher Neville Blakemore's 36,663 votes. Nelson lost the November 3, 2015 general election to Republican nominee Alison Ball with 571,455 votes (60.5%) to Nelson's 372,416 votes (39.5%).
 * 2014: Nelson was unopposed for both the May 20, 2014 Democratic primary and the November 4, 2014 general election, winning with 9,742 votes.
 * 2012: Nelson was unopposed for the May 22, 2012 Democratic primary and won the November 6, 2012 general election with 8,860 votes (69.6%) against Republican nominee Joshua Howard.
 * 2010: Nelson was unopposed for the May 18, 2010 Democratic primary and the November 2, 2010 general election, winning with 9,202 votes (77.5%) against Republican nominee Barry Carnes, who had run in the Republican primary in 2002.
 * 2008: Nelson was unopposed for both the 2008 Democratic primary and the November 4, 2008 general election, winning with 9,334 votes.
 * 2006: Nelson was challenged in the three-way 2006 Democratic primary, winning with 4,239 votes (63.1%) and won the November 7, 2006 general election with 10,253 votes (78.1%) against Republican nominee Glynna Brown.
 * 2004: Nelson was unopposed for both the 2004 Democratic primary and the November 2, 2004 general election, winning with 9,095 votes.
 * 2002: Nelson was unopposed for the 2002 Democratic primary and won the November 5, 2002 general election with 8,017 votes (67.1%) against Republican nominee Timothy Lasley.
 * 2000: When Representative Ausmus retired, Nelson was unopposed for the 2000 Democratic primary and won the November 7, 2000 general election with 5,853 votes (52.3%) against Republican nominee Scott Madon.
 * 1998: When district 87 Representative Michael Bowling left the Legislature and left the seat open, Nelson ran as an Independent in the three-way November 3, 1998 general election, but lost to Republican nominee J. C. Ausmus.