LAWRENCE COUNTY — Louisa resident Will Skaggs, 23, responded to the events leading up to his being disqualified by the circuit court for a campaign for Lawrence County coroner in the ’22 primary election this year BECAUSE HE WAS TOO YOUNG…
Skaggs issued the following statement today.
TO THE PEOPLE OF LAWRENCE COUNTY:
As I have learned, I am the loser in the case brought against me by Wesley Heston. He will be the coroner for Lawrence County for the next four years, beginning on January 1, 2023.
First, I want to congratulate Wesley’s circuit court victory.
To my supporters, I want to thank you for your kind words and support.
I should tell everyone my story, why I chose to run for the coroner’s office, and why I registered as a candidate for this office. Contrary to what you may have heard, I researched the qualifications for the office.
To find the qualifications for the office, I went to the best possible place I knew to go; the Kentucky Criminal Justice Training System for Kentucky Coroners, located at Eastern Kentucky State University. This school provides legal education for all coroners and police departments in Kentucky except Lexington and Louisville. The Kentucky State Police have a seperate training facility.
Entering this site, I found that a person must have a high school education and be 21 years of age for a coroner and the assistant coroner to receive the required education. Having found I qualified, I filled out my application with the Lawrence County Clerk and paid my registration fee. The Kentucky Secretary of State accepted my registration. Next, the County Clerk’s office notified me of the drawing for the ballot position, which I attended.
I purchased my signs and cards and commenced seeing people, telling them I was a candidate for the coroner position.
Then, almost 4-months later, I find myself in Circuit Court being sued. I had never been in any court. That is when I saw in the Complaint that the age of 24 years is required to be the coroner. Already in the fight, I decided to attempt to at least be a primary candidate, which would have occurred if both of us had not been of the same political party.
Here is a scanned copy of the provisions I relied upon.
Had I known that I did not qualify age-wise, I would have never attempted to be a candidate. A most remarkable happening occurred after Wesley filed suit; the Kentucky Criminal Justice site changed the coroner’s age to 24.
So, I can only tell you, I will see you in four years. I apologize and am so sorry for being misled.
Wil Skaggs
Doesnt matter. Lawrence county officials are corrupt and do nothing but bring up dirty laundry against the opposing side!!! Phil carter is one of the worst human beings alive today!!!
Phil is the man!
Yes, Phil is a great judge.
When someone feels threatened of their current position- always know, they will fight to end to maintain their current status.
The take away from all this – evidently you were a threat! With that said; embrace life for the next 2 1/2 years, prepared to run next time. I admire you for stepping up and running for office, all across the country – we are seeing a decline in candidates to support the Publix need. I’m sure a lot of it is due to public sector bashing of candidates. Wishing you nothing but the best in the future.
We won’t forget you Wil. Your day is coming. You make quite an impression on those who meet you.
It’s in the bag in four years.
I’m not even surprised that soon after the age was changed on the Secretary of state’s website that just goes right along with all the corruption that I’ve come to see and so most of it in Lawrence county I moved away from there three years ago and would never return I wish you the best of luck and I hope that you get to be one of the people in the future who makes changes in that county because it’s a beautiful place to live in there are good people there but the justice system and Lawrence county is nonexistent
Who ever runs and wins before they take office should demand a county audit to protect you from possible crimes and corruption of past . As we have seen with county atty office . It would be a wise thing to do .
Love you Will!! You have way more in your life to hold your head up high! You are a sincerely caring person that comes from the HEART, and that speaks louder than anything else! Your HONEST and stand for what is right. Keep that awesome smile my friend!
I admire your grit. Advice from a grandmother, spend the next four years being trained professionally as a coroner.
While Kentucky may not require that kind of training for a coroner, it will establish you as a professional individual who will be able to bring the latest State of the Art to the position.
Forensic science is a growing field that will grow by leaps and bounds. Having the best credentials will ensure the better opportunity.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
Best of luck.
He is currently employed at Young Funeral Home as an apprentice and is in Mortuary School right now!
The problem was due to the officials at LC not knowing the rules. They should be embarrassed and ashamed. Both candidates are good men.
How could we ever won a war. If your old enough to die for the country but can’t serve in Lawrence co,what a joke