Richard Heath

Richard Gale Heath (born August 9, 1955) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2012 to 2025. He represented Kentucky's 2nd House district, which included Graves County and part of McCracken County.

Background Heath graduated from Cuba High School in 1973. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education in 1984, and a Master of Arts in agriculture in 1989, both from Murray State University.

Heath is the owner of Heath Building Materials, located in Mayfield, Kentucky. He identifies as a Baptist, and is currently a member of the Graves County Chamber of Commerce, Graves County Rotary Club, National Rifle Association of America (NRA), Associated General Contractors of America, National Frame Building Association, and Home Builders Association. and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 9,681 votes (54.8%) against Democratic nominee Kelly Whitaker. He also won the special election for the remaining two months of Nesler's term. 2014 Heath was unopposed in the 2014 republican primary, and won the 2014 general election with 9,181 votes against Democratic candidate Jesse Wright. 2015 Heath was defeated by Ryan Quarles in the 2015 republican primary for Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture by a margin of 1,427 votes. 2023 Heath was defeated by Jonathan Shell in the 2023 republican primary for Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture by a margin of 33,802 votes. 2024 Heath was defeated in the 2024 Republican primary, garnering 1,743 votes (47.8%) against Kim Holloway. 2026 Heath unsuccessfully ran to regain his seat, losing again to Holloway.