The seat was formerly held by Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham, who announced his retirement in December 2018. Governor Matt Bevin then appointed Justice David Buckingham, who is not running in the November election to finish the remainder of Cunningham’s term. That term ends in 2022.
Westerfield, of Hopkinsville, has served in the state Senate since 2012, where he currently serves as the Chairman for the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Westerfield joins Court of Appeals Judge Shea Nickell in the race for the nonpartisan Supreme Court position.