Jenean Hampton

Jenean M. Hampton (born May 12, 1958) is the 57th and current Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky since December 8, 2015 after having won office as Republican gubernatorial nominee Matt Bevin's running-mate, in the 2015 gubernatorial election. She is the first African-American to hold any statewide office in Kentucky history.

Hampton was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and one of four daughters born to Donald and Marie Hampton. Her parents divorced in 1965, when she was seven years old, with her mother then taking care of the children by herself. Hampton's mother struggled because she lacked a high school diploma, and Hampton's family lacked many luxuries, including a car.

After Hampton graduated from high school, she worked for five years in the automotive industry in order to help pay for her college. She earned an Industrial Engineering degree from Wayne State University in 1985.

Jenean Hampton at the Jackson County Veterans Memorial Dedication Ceremony. Hampton served seven years in the Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of Captain.

Soon after graduating from Wayne State University, Hampton joined the Air Force. She served for seven years as a computer systems officer, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. During her military service she was stationed in San Antonio, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was deployed to Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. While stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she was responsible for critical radar software used in both search and rescue missions and tracking enemy planes.

After serving in the Air Force, Hampton spent nineteen years working in the corrugated packaging industry, starting as a crew supervisor on the production floor, working her way up to quality and sales, and finally reaching the position of plant manager. At the same time, she earned her MBA at the University of Rochester, with concentrations in marketing, entrepreneurship and electronic commerce.

Hampton's first run for a political office was in 2014, when she unsuccessfully challenged State Representative Jody Richards in Bowling Green. Hampton has been active in her local party and in the Tea Party Movement.

Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky

Hampton was selected by Matt Bevin as his running mate for Governor of Kentucky. On November 3, 2015 Bevin and Hampton defeated the Democratic ticket of Attorney General Jack Conway and State Representative Sannie Overly in the 2015 Kentucky gubernatorial election.

Hampton lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is married to Dr. Doyle Isaak, a retired U.S. Air Force officer. They have been married for fourteen years.

She is a licensed amateur radio operator with callsign K5EIB.