Rick Nelson

Rick Gene Nelson (born June 11, 1954) is an American politician who was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2001 to 2019. He represented the 87th district, which comprised Bell County and part of Harlan. He served as chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee from 2009 until Republicans won control of the house in 2016. He later served as mayor Middlesboro from 2019 to 2023.

He ran for Kentucky state treasurer in the 2015 elections to succeed term-limited Democratic incumbent Todd Hollenbach, but lost to Republican Allison Ball.

Nelson is a Republican candidate for Judge/Executive of Bell County in 2026.

Education Nelson was born in Black Star Coal Camp, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and a Master of Arts from Eastern Kentucky University.

Electoral history + Year Office Primary General Result Swing . Total % . Total % . 1998 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 1,966 17.77% 3rd Gain 2000 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 5,853 52.29% 1st Gain 2002 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 8,017 67.07% 1st Hold 2004 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 9,095 Hold 2006 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 4,239 63.11% 1st 10,253 78.12% 1st Hold 2008 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 9,334 Hold 2010 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 9,202 77.52% 1st Hold 2012 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 8,860 69.57% 1st Hold 2014 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 9,742 Hold 2016 Kentucky House of Representatives (87th) 7,224 51.50% 1st Hold 2018 Mayor of Middlesboro 981 49.97% 1st 1,785 66.95% 1st 2022 Mayor of Middlesboro 792 46.78% 2nd 968 41.19% 2nd