Jeff Hoover

Jeffrey H. Hoover (born January 18, 1960) is an American politician and attorney who served as speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2017 to 2018, and was the first Republican to be elected speaker since 1920.

Elected to the House in 1996, Hoover served as minority caucus chair from 1999 to 2001, and minority leader from 2001 until his election as speaker in 2017. He represented Kentucky's 83rd House district, which comprised Clinton, Cumberland and Russell County as well as part of Pulaski County.

Hoover announced in late 2017 that he would resign as speaker due to accusations that he had sexually harassed an aide, which he denied. He was unopposed for re-election to his House seat in 2018 and did not seek reelection in 2020.

Hoover's father was later a field representative for congressman Hal Rogers, and was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1986. However, his father died of a heart attack before he assumed office. A memorial service was held for his father by speaker Don Blandford in the House chamber; it was the first time Hoover had visited the state capitol.

Hoover was raised in Jamestown, and graduated from Russell County High School. Standing at six feet and four inches tall, he played basketball in high school as well as for Centre College, where he graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government.

In 2015, Hoover became the longest serving Republican leader in the history of the Kentucky House.

Speaker tenure After the 2016 elections when Republicans gained a supermajority in the House, Hoover was selected as House Speaker replacing Democrat Greg Stumbo, becoming the first Republican speaker since the election of Joseph Bosworth in 1920.

Resignation On November 4, 2017, governor Matt Bevin and eight House Republicans called on Hoover to resign after it was revealed that Hoover as well as House members Jim DeCesare, Brian Linder, and Michael Meredith had paid $110,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim made by a legislative staffer. The next day, Hoover announced his intent to resign as speaker. He was succeeded by speaker pro tempore David W. Osborne. Bevin said he was not satisfied with Hoover merely stepping down from his leadership position, and called on Hoover and others accused in the scandal to resign their seats.

On January 8, 2018, Hoover resigned as speaker. He did not seek reelection in 2020, and retired at the end of his term in January 2021.

Personal life In January 1992, Hoover married Karyn Blankenship. The two have three daughters together. He also continues to manage WJRS, for which the Hoover family became the first group to be inducted into the Kentucky Broadcasters Mic Hall of Fame in 2025.