FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) announced the election of Robert J. Benvenuti as its new chair. Benvenuti succeeds Mac Brown, who served the party for eight years.

Benvenuti was recommended by the Republican Executive Committee to the State Central Committee, which elected him on Dec. 9.

The new RPK chair hails from Lexington and is a founding member of Barnett Benvenuti & Butler. The RPK noted his background in law, public administration and legislative affairs, specifically as a former Kentucky House of Representatives member, makes him specially suited for his new role.

“There is no doubt that through the hard work and diligence of many, the growth of the Republican Party in Kentucky has been remarkable,” Benvenuti said. He also said it was imperative for his party to “continue to unite,” and to “further convince the majority of Kentuckians to desire a government, and governmental policies, that center on Republican policies.”

Benvenuti served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 2012 to 2019, representing House District 88, which serves parts of Fayette and Scott counties. He also served as inspector general for the Cabinet for Health and Family services during the administration of former Gov. Ernie Fletcher, R-Ky.

The Lexingtonian is a 1998 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. He also earned a Master’s of Public Administration from UK’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science degree from UK in 1988.