Clinton attorney Jason Batts filed for county attorney January 21st.

Clinton, Kentucky (January 21, 2014): After weeks of speculation that the returned to his home county young attorney might seek to run for county judge, Jason Batts announced today he will seek the office of county attorney. 

Batts will run against the current county attorney, Sue Ellen Morris, who filed for re-election last fall on the Democratic ticket.  Batts is a Republican. The office can only be held by a lawyer, so if no other local attorneys file for the office, there will be no May primary for either candidate. Their race will be in November.

According to his press release, Batts’ campaign stems from what he and others see as a need to improve the community through more effective prosecution of those who have broken the law. Almost immediately after beginning to practice law in Western Kentucky, Batts began hearing from others who hoped he would seek the office of Hickman County attorney. 

“In the last few years, it’s been both amazing and overwhelming. I haven’t really known how to react, but I’m grateful,” Batts said. 

The conversations have only intensified in recent months. 

“I know the difference that we can make with a more effective strategy moving forward, and hope the community will welcome a new direction,” said Batts. 

Since his time in law school, Batts has always been interested in being a prosecutor. In 2010, Batts began serving as assistant Fulton County attorney, where he assists in the prosecutions of misdemeanors. In 2012, Batts joined the United Stated Army Reserves, serving as a military prosecutor with the 290^th Military Police Brigade. In addition to his work as assistant county attorney and military prosecutor, Batts serves as city attorney for Bardwell and Arlington, working from his law office in Clinton.  

Prior to being a prosecutor, Batts served as an intern in the White House under President George W. Bush, and worked in various positions on Capitol Hill while serving as a staff member to Congresswoman Anne Northup and Congressman Kenny Marchant. Batts graduated from law school at Washington University in St. Louis, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Washington University Law Review. Batts is president of the Clinton-Hickman County Chamber of Commerce, and is also active in the Clinton Rotary Club and Fulton City Lions Club. He is married to Tonia Batts, an optometrist with Eyecare Associates in Mayfield.

Crystal McAuliffe Janes is Batts’ campaign director and Cayce Brockwell will be the campaign Press Secretary.