Prestonsburg Mayor Delaying Aspirations for the 29th Senatorial District Seat

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PRESTONSBURG — Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton announced on Facebook Thursday, Jan. 4, that after much thought and discussions with supporters he has come to the difficult decision to delay any current aspirations for the 29th Senatorial District seat.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and I have spent many hours and days praying, thinking, and discussing my decision with those closest to me. I have met many people along the campaign trail that I am proud to call my friends and I have tried to call most of them and explain my decision as I will to you now,” Stapleton said in his announcement. “When I ran for Mayor of the City of Prestonsburg, I did so to serve our community and hopefully make some improvements. Although some of the progress has been slow coming, in my opinion we as a community have made great strides. Being a public servant and more specifically, representing Prestonsburg has given me great pleasure and I hope to have some projects started this spring that will help our city grow.”

Stapleton explained that the mayor’s position is a 60 hour a week endeavor to serve the city properly and while trying to campaign, he found himself playing catch up late at night and early in the mornings.

“I want to spend time with my family, being the husband, father, and grandfather, they deserve and to keep these projects that we have already invested so much in on the front burner,” Stapleton said. “I cannot let my own endeavors slow our progress. Thank you for the support and understanding.”

Stapleton announced on Facebook, in November 2023, his candidacy for the 29th District Senate seat where he could serve Floyd, Knott, Harlan, Bell and Letcher counties saying it was his desire to represent rural Kentucky and the region on a statewide platform.