Paul E. Patton

Paul E. Patton
Born	(1937-05-26) May 26, 1937 Fallsburg, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, university chancellor
Years active	1972–present
Known for	59th Governor of Kentucky (1995–2003), Chancellor of University of Pikeville

Paul Edward Patton (born May 26, 1937) is a former American politician who held the office of the 59th governor of Kentucky from 1995 until 2003. Due to a 1992 amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, he became the first governor permitted to serve a consecutive term since 1800. Since 2013, Patton has served as chancellor of the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Kentucky, having previously been its president from 2010 through 2013. Additionally, he led the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education as its chair between 2009 and 2011.

After completing his studies at the University of Kentucky in 1959, Patton amassed considerable wealth through two decades of managing coal mining operations. He divested most of his coal interests in the late 1970s and transitioned into politics, briefly holding a position in Governor John Y. Brown Jr.'s administration and serving as chair of the state Democratic Party. In 1981, he was elected judge/executive of Pike County. Following an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor in 1987, he secured that office in 1991, simultaneously acting as lieutenant governor and secretary of economic development under Governor Brereton Jones.

Patton secured the governorship in 1995 by defeating Larry Forgy. A major accomplishment during his initial term was restructuring higher education by separating the state's community colleges and technical schools from the University of Kentucky and uniting them under the newly formed Kentucky Community and Technical College System. He won re-election comfortably in 1999; however, two Democratic senators switched allegiance to the Republican Party, granting Republicans a historic majority in the state senate. The economic prosperity of the 1990s that supported Patton’s policies gave way to a recession in the early 2000s. Confronted with an antagonistic legislature and economic downturn, Patton found it difficult to enact substantial legislation during his second term.

His administration was further marred by controversies: in 2002, reports surfaced regarding an extramarital affair and accusations of a sex-for-favors arrangement. Patton initially denied these claims but later acknowledged the affair while refuting any misuse of his official position. He also faced backlash for pardoning four political aides charged with campaign finance violations and allegations of patronage misconduct. These scandals effectively ended any chances for further political advancement.

Early life and education

Patton was born on May 26, 1937, in Fallsburg, Kentucky, inside a converted silo lacking indoor plumbing, electricity, or telephone service. He was the only male among three siblings born to Ward and Irene Patton. The family relocated frequently due to Ward’s teaching roles. After Ward accepted a railroad position in Pike County, Irene remained in Fallsburg with their children until they completed their schooling. Patton attended Fallsburg Elementary School, a modest four-room building, where he honed his public speaking abilities through participation in the 4-H club. In 1951, he began studies at Louisa High School in Louisa, Kentucky, excelling academically as an honor student while engaging in drama club activities, playing football and baseball, and serving as senior class president. He graduated in 1955 ranking third highest in a class of seventy-three.

Patton pursued higher education at the University of Kentucky, joining the Kappa Sigma fraternity in 1956 and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering by 1959. Subsequently, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University of Louisville.

Coal Industry

Following his graduation in 1959, Patton started his career as a day laborer extracting slate for Sizemore Mining Corporation, a business owned by his father-in-law. By 1961, he relocated to Virgie and, alongside his brother-in-law, established the Elkhorn Coal Company. In 1972, he acquired Chapperal Coal Company and accumulated considerable wealth amid the coal surge prompted by the 1973 oil crisis. After divesting Chapperal in 1978, Patton contributed to the growth of Campbell Coal and Oil Supply into a leading supplier throughout eastern Kentucky.

Patton emerged as a key figure in the coal sector, holding positions on the Kentucky Coal Association board, chairing the National Independent Coal Operators Association, and serving on the Kentucky Deep Mine Safety Commission. He voiced opposition to the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, criticizing its regulatory framework, and resisted federal restrictions on strip mining slopes exceeding 20 degrees—limitations that jeopardized operations within the Eastern Mountain Coal Fields. Additionally, he contested Kentucky’s coal severance tax, arguing it disadvantaged local miners economically.

While Patton was considered more conciliatory toward labor unions compared to many industry leaders, most of his mining operations were either non-union or affiliated with the less adversarial Southern Labor Union rather than the United Mine Workers of America. During the late 1970s, claims arose that Patton had struck a striking miner with his pickup truck during a picket line confrontation; nevertheless, no official arrest records or warrants were documented.

On October 18, 1976, citing irreconcilable differences, Patton filed for divorce from Carol Cooley; their separation was finalized on February 25, 1977. Later that same year, he married Judi Jane Conway from Pikeville, who worked as a secretary at his Kentucky Elkhorn mine and had two children from a previous marriage.

Politics

Patton’s political involvement began through State Senator Kelsey Friend, who appointed him as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention and encouraged him to raise funds for Walter "Dee" Huddleston’s congressional campaign.

As the coal industry downturn unfolded, Patton sold most of his coal assets in 1978. After meeting with associates of Congressman Carroll Hubbard, he contemplated a gubernatorial bid in 1979 but withdrew due to limited campaign duration and declining backing. Instead, he supported Terry McBrayer during the primary and later assisted in electing John Y. Brown Jr., who appointed Patton as deputy secretary of transportation. However, Patton resigned after three months in protest against Brown’s proposed coal severance tax.

In late 1981, Brown named Patton vice-chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, subsequently promoting him to chair following political developments. Serving until 1983, Patton gained substantial political expertise and developed influential alliances, including with advisor Andrew "Skipper" Martin.

Pike County Judge/Executive

In 1981, Patton secured election as Pike County judge/executive by significantly outspending incumbent Wayne Rutherford in the Democratic primary and capturing more than 75% of votes in the general election against Republican Jim Polley.

Within six months of taking office, he introduced Kentucky’s inaugural mandatory county-wide garbage collection program aimed at curbing illegal dumping—a move that earned statewide acclaim. During his 1985 re-election campaign, Patton once again defeated Rutherford despite closer margins; although Rutherford opposed the waste management initiative, it was widely supported by voters.

Throughout his second term, Patton initiated an oil recycling program and established employment opportunities for welfare mothers through daycare centers. He oversaw construction of a new jail facility and managed a $5 million courthouse renovation project. Additionally, he attracted Pike County’s first manufacturing company and terminated previous practices of allocating county resources to private individuals. Infrastructure enhancements such as rural road improvements and recreational facility development were also key focuses.

Patton sought the Lieutenant Governor position in 1987 but placed third in an expensive Democratic primary where he invested over $2 million of personal funds yet was outspent by Brereton Jones. Following this setback, he returned to Pike County and won a third term as judge/executive in 1989 with more than 70% support in the primary and nearly triple the votes in the general election.

As he prepared for another lieutenant governor campaign in 1991, Patton forged new labor partnerships with Teamsters leadership after previously facing opposition from the UMWA due to his mines’ affiliation with the Southern Labor Union. Collaborating with Kelsey Friend, he helped enact the Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act, which offered financial incentives to businesses establishing operations in economically challenged rural counties.

Lieutenant governor

In 1991, Patton once again pursued the lieutenant governor's office. The Democratic primary featured seven candidates, with Attorney General Fred Cowan as the favorite. However, Cowan faced controversy over fundraising from a company under investigation. Patton emerged victorious over Cowan, securing 146,102 votes compared to Cowan’s 104,337.

During the general election, Patton competed against Republican Eugene Goss, who criticized Patton’s intention to run for governor following his term and pledged not to seek that office himself. Goss conducted a modest campaign without television advertisements and limited his contributions to $300. Patton won comfortably, receiving 514,023 votes to Goss’s 250,857.

Following his election, Patton resigned from his role as Pike County judge-executive. While serving as Senate presiding officer in 1991, he cast the deciding vote to defeat mandatory seat belt legislation. He was the final lieutenant governor to lead the Kentucky Senate before a 1992 constitutional amendment established the distinct role of President of the Kentucky Senate.

In November 1991, Governor Brereton Jones appointed Patton as secretary of economic development, marking the first time a lieutenant governor held an appointed cabinet position. In this capacity, Patton championed tax incentive programs designed to attract new industries. Journalist Bill Bishop criticized these incentives for primarily benefiting low-wage employment; Patton responded through a series of essays later compiled in Kentucky's Approach to Economic Development. He also revamped state economic development initiatives by launching four new incentive programs and founding the Kentucky Economic Development Partnership.

1995 gubernatorial election

As his term as lieutenant governor concluded in 1995, Patton declared his candidacy for governor. This election was significant as it was Kentucky’s first in which the governor and lieutenant governor ran together as a ticket, following a constitutional amendment in 1992. New regulations mandated a runoff if no candidate achieved at least 40% of the primary vote; additionally, incumbents were now permitted to serve consecutive terms. Campaign finance reforms introduced public funding and spending limits to reduce advantages held by wealthier candidates.

Patton chose Steve Henry—a Louisville-based surgeon and county commissioner—as his running mate. His principal challengers in the Democratic primary included Secretary of State Bob Babbage and Senate President Pro Tempore John "Eck" Rose. Although Governor Brereton Jones refrained from officially endorsing Patton, Rose labeled Jones as Patton’s "mentor" and criticized Patton for lacking clear positions, particularly regarding collective wage bargaining for public employees. Despite facing strong opposition, Patton won decisively with 152,203 votes, avoiding a runoff.

Heading into the general election as an underdog, Patton confronted a difficult political climate: Republicans had gained control of Kentucky’s congressional delegation in 1994, and Democrats were tarnished by the Operation Boptrot corruption scandal. Concerned that voters desired change after 24 years of Democratic leadership, Patton faced an uphill battle.

His Republican adversary, Larry Forgy, lost moderate support by aligning with the Christian right and opposing the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), alienating education advocates. Meanwhile, Patton mobilized traditional Democratic constituencies such as organized labor and African-American voters. He also emphasized Republican budget reductions impacting senior citizens to weaken Forgy’s appeal. Ultimately, Patton narrowly prevailed with 500,787 votes compared to Forgy’s 479,227—the closest gubernatorial contest in over three decades—and became the first governor from eastern Kentucky since 1959.

Initial Term (1995–1999)

At the outset of his tenure, Patton emphasized reforming education while implementing a fiscally cautious budget guided by financial adviser James R. Ramsey. Their joint objective was to modernize state government operations to enhance efficiency without resorting to involuntary staff reductions. Although state employees initially expressed doubts, Patton allocated approximately half of a forecasted 1996 budget surplus—around $50 million—toward capital projects and efficiency upgrades. The creation of an Office for Technology and the modernization of state computer infrastructure involved investments totaling $23.3 million, which subsequently generated $300 million in revenue for the state, equating to an annual return of 75 cents per dollar spent.

In December 1996, Patton convened a special session of the legislature aimed at overhauling worker's compensation laws, responding to concerns that overly generous benefits were detrimental to Kentucky’s business environment. The resulting reforms curtailed benefits, including those for coal miners afflicted with black lung disease, which led to alienation among labor representatives in vital coal-producing areas. Later acknowledging the legislation’s shortcomings, Patton endorsed amendments passed in 2002 that sought a more balanced approach between protecting workers and supporting business interests.

Education Reform

Patton initiated significant higher education reforms in 1997, addressing inefficiencies caused by competition between community colleges under the University of Kentucky and state-operated technical schools within local regions. His proposal established the Kentucky Community and Technical College System by detaching community colleges from university governance and elevating technical schools to grant associate degrees. This restructuring was designed to enable the University of Kentucky to concentrate on achieving "Top 20" research university status while positioning the University of Louisville as a nationally recognized urban institution. Oversight for eliminating program redundancies and managing these changes was assigned to the state's Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), which also spearheaded initiatives such as the Kentucky Virtual University and expanded distance learning programs.

The Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997 (House Bill 1), championed by Patton, encountered resistance from University of Kentucky president Charles T. Wethington Jr., community college administrators, and certain legislators including Greg Stumbo, whose opposition was partly influenced by prior disputes over worker’s compensation reform. Despite this, Patton secured passage through direct negotiations with lawmakers.

Additional educational measures included a $100 million bond issuance in 1998 to finance the Research Challenge Trust Fund (“Bucks for Brains”), requiring universities to provide matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis to attract leading researchers. That year also saw enactment of the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), which directed lottery revenues into academic performance-based scholarships.

Patton further refined the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) by endorsing standardized testing aligned with national benchmarks to address critics’ concerns without diluting the legislation’s core provisions. His administration successfully opposed attempts to repeal essential elements such as anti-nepotism hiring policies.

His influence extended beyond state borders; he served as chair of the Southern Regional Education Board (1997–1998), led the Education Commission of the States (1999), and participated in national panels dedicated to high school reform.

In 1998, buoyed by a $200 million budget surplus, Patton utilized these resources to advance a broad legislative agenda encompassing criminal justice reform, economic development initiatives, Medicaid restructuring, and expanded educational programs. He prioritized equipping every public school classroom in Kentucky with Internet connectivity—making it the first state to achieve this milestone—and launched the Kentucky Virtual High School in 2000 to broaden course availability through distance learning.

Patton also focused on improving adult education outcomes by partnering with Republican senator David L. Williams to increase funding contingent upon program effectiveness. By 2003, GED completions had risen by 17%, accompanied by an increased number of graduates enrolling in college programs.

Criminal justice reform

Patton made overhauling Kentucky's juvenile justice system a key focus, addressing failures under Brereton Jones that had prevented the state from qualifying for federal funding due to problems like juvenile mistreatment and inappropriate offender housing. Although Jones had agreed to a consent decree to tackle these issues, Patton pushed further reforms by requiring specialized training for staff working with juveniles and creating a confidential abuse reporting hotline. He also consolidated juvenile detention facilities under state authority, overseeing the construction of nine new centers. By January 2001, Attorney General Janet Reno acknowledged Kentucky's juvenile justice framework as a national exemplar.

In addition to juvenile matters, Patton backed legislation mandating that violent criminals serve a minimum of 85% of their sentences, an increase from the previous 50%, while permitting judges to consider home confinement for first-time non-violent offenders. The law also introduced life sentences without parole, representing a stricter punishment than before. This measure was enacted in 1999.

1999 gubernatorial election

Following a constitutional amendment enacted during Brereton Jones’s administration, Patton became the first Kentucky governor in over two centuries eligible for consecutive terms and the first popularly elected governor to benefit from this change. Running unchallenged in the Democratic primary, Patton faced Republican Peppy Martin in the general election, who was widely regarded as an ineffective contender. Even former opponent David Williams endorsed Patton over Martin. Patton secured a commanding victory with 60.6% of the vote (352,099 ballots), while Martin received 128,788 votes and third-party candidate Gatewood Galbraith obtained 88,930 votes. Patton attributed the weak Republican opposition to their incorrect assumption that he was unbeatable.

Second term as governor

After winning the 1999 election, Louisville senator Dan Seum switched his affiliation from Democrat to Republican, citing his conservative stances including opposition to the state lottery and abortion. This move balanced party representation in the Senate. Approximately six weeks later, Paducah senator Bob Leeper also changed parties; despite Patton’s efforts to retain him, Leeper referenced ideological differences as his reason. Leeper’s defection gave Republicans control of the Senate for the first time in Kentucky’s history. David Williams was elected Senate President and maintained party unity among Republicans, creating obstacles for Patton’s legislative goals.

The relationship between Williams and Patton further deteriorated during budget negotiations in 1999. Patton proposed raising the gasoline tax by seven cents per gallon, with one cent dedicated to counties with unpaved roads—areas typically Republican and historically overlooked by Democratic administrations. Patton believed Williams had promised support from ten senators; however, escalating gas prices stalled voting, and Williams did not deliver as expected. A compromise resulted in mostly revenue-neutral tax adjustments that preserved the budget overall, but Patton felt deceived by Williams, ending their collaboration.

Patton also confronted decisions regarding Kentucky’s $3.5 billion allocation from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement spread over 25 years. He suggested dividing funds with half directed toward crop diversification for farmers, one-quarter allocated to healthcare and anti-smoking initiatives, and the remaining quarter invested in early childhood care and education—a cause personally significant due to his daughter Nikki’s profession.

In November 2000, voters approved a constitutional change reducing legislative sessions in odd-numbered years while extending them in even-numbered years. Despite this adjustment, most of Patton’s policy proposals failed during legislative sessions in 2000 and 2001. An economic downturn in the early 2000s led to an $800 million budget deficit by 2002. That year, Republicans advocated eliminating public campaign financing as a cost-cutting measure, projecting savings of $30 million by ending what they termed "welfare for politicians." This effort contributed to failure in passing the biennial budget during regular session. When Patton convened a special session in April 2002, lawmakers remained deadlocked. For the first time in state history, Kentucky began its fiscal year without an approved budget, forcing Patton to manage government operations without one.

Legislation aimed at abolishing the juvenile death penalty also failed in 2002. The precedent allowing execution of offenders aged 16 or 17 was established by the Supreme Court's 1989 ruling in Stanford v. Kentucky. In 2003, Patton commuted Kevin Stanford’s sentence related to this issue. During his governorship, Patton oversaw executions of two adult inmates—Harold McQueen Jr. (1997) and Eddie Lee Harper (1999)—making him the first Kentucky governor since 1962 to authorize executions.

Tina Conner scandal

Patton’s political difficulties escalated in 2002 when news broke of his extramarital involvement with Tina Conner, who managed the Birchtree Healthcare nursing facility in Clinton, Kentucky. Although their relationship ended in 1999, Patton maintained communication with Conner until October 2001. Initially denying the affair, he ultimately confessed during a televised press briefing in September 2002. The controversy sparked widespread mockery both statewide and nationally, including satire on The Tonight Show, and prompted the Louisville Courier-Journal to call for his resignation, citing a loss of moral credibility and political influence.

Conner alleged that during their relationship, Patton facilitated regulatory advantages for Birchtree. Shortly after the affair concluded, state inspectors identified numerous health and safety violations at the nursing home; by mid-2002, Medicare and Medicaid funding was revoked, leading to bankruptcy proceedings. She claimed that these investigations were retaliatory actions following the termination of their relationship. Furthermore, Conner asserted that Patton assisted her construction business in obtaining disadvantaged business certification, which provided preferential access to state contracts.

The scandal placed significant strain on Patton’s marriage; his wife Judi reportedly resided separately within the governor's mansion and made few public appearances alongside him.

Despite the controversy, Patton retained prominent national leadership positions, serving as chair of the Southern Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, and National Governors Association (NGA). Though he intended to step down as NGA chair in November 2002, he was persuaded to continue. Together with Republican vice-chair Dirk Kempthorne, Patton secured federal funds to support state budgets and avoided partisan disputes over Medicaid policy.

In September 2002, Conner initiated legal action against Patton; by late 2003, all but one allegation—concerning "outrageous" behavior—were dismissed. In March 2003, the Executive Branch Ethics Commission charged Patton with four ethics violations related to leveraging his office to benefit Conner, including influencing disadvantaged business certification and making appointments advantageous to her or her associates. Patton contended these actions constituted routine constituent services conducted lawfully and ethically without personal financial benefit.

Conner’s remaining claim was dismissed in May 2006. Later that year, she filed a second lawsuit alleging official misconduct and government oppression; this was dismissed as an attempt to revisit previously adjudicated claims.

Diminished legislative sway

During Kentucky’s severe budget crisis in 2003, Governor Patton proposed comprehensive tax reform aimed at aligning revenues with economic recovery. However, with the gubernatorial election imminent, legislators from both parties pledged not to increase taxes. Consequently, the 2003 budget excluded Patton’s recommendations and repealed a decade-old campaign finance reform statute. Patton conceded, "I have lost any ability to influence the legislature."

Patronage controversies

In his final months in office, Patton was criticized for allegedly misusing patronage by appointing relatives and friends from non-merit into merit system roles, thereby securing their employment under future administrations. This was contentious given a legislative directive to eliminate 800 non-merit positions to address budget shortfalls. The Lexington Herald-Leader regarded these allegations as more serious than previous scandals involving him. Patton defended these appointments as compliant with established personnel procedures.

Campaign finance pardons

In June 2003, Patton granted pardons to four individuals who had been charged with breaching campaign finance regulations during the 1995 gubernatorial election. These charges stemmed from claims that Patton collaborated on spending with the Teamsters union and state Democratic officials. Although initially dismissed, these allegations were later affirmed by the Kentucky Supreme Court. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to review the case, Patton issued the pardons. Attorney General Ben Chandler condemned this action, stating it obstructed a definitive judgment on whether Patton’s 1995 electoral win was conducted with full transparency and integrity.

Later career

Patton intended to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Jim Bunning in the 2004 election; however, controversies emerging near the conclusion of his term halted these ambitions. After Republican Ernie Fletcher assumed office, Patton withdrew to Pikeville, Kentucky, where he became involved with the First Presbyterian Church and took on roles including membership on the Big Sandy Regional Economic Development Board and chairmanship of the Pikeville/Pike County Industrial and Economic Authority.

In 2008, Governor Fletcher recognized Patton’s contributions by naming a portion of U.S. Route 119 the Paul E. Patton Highway. On February 1, 2009, Patton was appointed as chairman of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). Later that year, he accepted the presidency of Pikeville College (now University of Pikeville). The Executive Branch Ethics Commission determined that holding both positions posed minimal conflict due to CPE’s limited governance over private institutions; nonetheless, Patton was advised to delegate liaison responsibilities and abstain from deliberations directly impacting his college.

University of Pikeville

Patton officially assumed the presidency of University of Pikeville on February 16, 2010, concurrently serving as Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Public Policy and Leadership. During his tenure, he supervised the development of the Expo Center for indoor athletics; in 2011, its basketball court was dedicated as Paul E. Patton Court.

Toward the end of 2011, Patton collaborated with Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo to propose integrating University of Pikeville as Kentucky’s ninth public university within the state system. To address potential conflicts of interest during this initiative, Patton resigned from the CPE on December 30, 2011.

In 2013, Patton stepped down from his presidential role to become chancellor. Acknowledging his dedication to sports programs, he was inducted into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. In January 2015, University of Pikeville announced the establishment of the Patton College of Education—separating its teacher preparation curriculum from the College of Arts and Sciences—with plans for commencement in fall 2015.

Personal life

Following his sophomore year at college, he wed Carol Cooley, whose family operated a coal mine in Floyd County, Kentucky. Together they have two children: Nikki and Christopher.

External links

• Members of Patton Administration

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