Cherlynn Stevenson

Cherlynn Watley Stevenson (born July 17, 1976) is an American politician and businesswoman who served as a member in the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the 88th district from 2019 to 2025. She also served as Minority Caucus Chair. Her district comprised parts of Fayette and Scott counties. She was defeated for reelection in 2024 by Republican candidate Vanessa Grossl.

A native of Eastern Kentucky, on May 13, 2025, Stevenson declared her candidacy for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, which is being vacated by incumbent U.S. Representative Andy Barr, who is running for senator.

Biography Cherlynn Stevenson was born and reared in Hindman, Kentucky, the daughter of a schoolteacher and a coal miner. She graduated from Morehead State University with a bachelor of science degree in behavioral sciences.

Before entering politics, Stevenson was a small business owner, and previously worked in healthcare and manufacturing. She ran for the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2018, narrowly defeating Republican Bill Farmer. She was re-elected in 2020 and 2022, but was narrowly defeated for a fourth term by Republican Vanessa Grossl in 2024 by a margin of 125 votes. During her time as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, she served as Democratic Caucus Chair.

On May 13, 2025, she announced her candidacy for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in the 2026 U.S. House of Representatives elections. The seat is being vacated by Republican incumbent Andy Barr, who is running for U.S. Senate. The district is seen as a district house Democrats hope to flip in the 2026 elections. The district was won by Donald Trump by 15 points in the 2024 United States presidential election, but Democratic Governor Andy Beshear won the district in 2023. The last Democrat to win in the district was Ben Chandler in 2010.