She served as the President Pro tempore of the Kentucky State Senate.
Then Bellevue, Kentucky Mayor Tom Wiethorn, announced as the Democratic nominee for the seat.
State Senator Gex "Jay" Williams, the incumbent, chose not to run for reelection to the State Senate to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2010, she won re-election against Democrat Julie Smith Morrow with 69% of the vote.
She succeeded her fellow Northern Kentuckian, State Senator Richard "Dick" Roeding of Lakeside Park, Kentucky.