Former Kentucky state Rep. Brent Yonts passed away Friday after a long battle with COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated.
According to posts from his daughter and state Senator Whitney Westerfield, Yonts had been in critical condition and in the ICU for two weeks before being placed on a ventilator earlier this week.
Yonts served as the state representative for Kentucky’s 15th District from 1997 to 2016. The district covers Muhlenberg County and a large part of Hopkins County. Yonts was also a practicing attorney in Greenville.
During his time in the legislature, Yonts worked on many key issues including corrections and pension reforms. He received the Kentucky Chamber’s MVP Award three times for his work on pro-business legislation.
Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts released the following statement Friday: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Rep. Yonts. When I started at the Chamber in 2012, the first bill I worked to pass was a bill sponsored by Rep. Yonts. He helped me every step of the process and together we were able to get the bill signed into law. He was a good friend to the Chamber, often appearing at our conferences in his colorful jackets and helping us on legislation-particularly criminal justice reform. My deepest sympathies to his wife, children and all those who loved him.”