Bunch easily defeats Goins in 82nd District State Rep. race

Mrs. Bunch is going back to Frankfort.

Regina Bunch, who took her husband, Dewayne’s seat in the state house of representatives in December, handily defeated primary challenger James Larry Goins in the Republican Primary race for the 82nd Legislative District.

With no Democratic challenger waiting in the November general election, Bunch will serve her first full term in office.

"I’m just really appreciative of everyone that took the time to vote for me," Bunch said. "It is just really humbling that so many people took the time to turn out."

While the four southern Laurel County precincts posted a narrow margin in favor of Bunch, 146-104, voters overwhelmingly turned out for her in Whitley County, breaking more than three to one in Bunch’s favor.

The unofficial overall tally was 3,684-1,110.

Challenger James "Larry" Goins took the loss in stride.

"I appreciate everyone that worked and voted for me," Goins said.

Bunch said there are a number of things that legislators must address and number one on the list is getting the state’s financial house in order.

She noted that that the only way this can happen is if legislators from both sides of the aisle are willing to cross the aisle and work with members of the other party.

"I hope we have a group that will work to make government smaller and get the budget in check.
If the two sides can come to agreement on that, Bunch said it could be the beginning of something good for Kentucky.

"We have to use common sense," Bunch said. " It is the petty bickering that keeps us from doing the people’s business."

Locally, Bunch said despite measures such as the one that put the stock of pseudoephedrine behind the drug counter and made it more difficult to purchase, the scourge of methamphetamine is still rocking Southeastern Kentucky, particularly Laurel and Whitley counties.

"You can’t turn on the news without hearing about a meth lab being shut down in Laurel or Whitley County," Bunch noted.

Bunch explained that children are the biggest victims of the methamphetamine scourge and more must be done to protect children found in homes where individuals have been making meth.

Still relatively new herself, Bunch offered a bit of advice for the freshmen legislators coming to Frankfort for the first time.

"You need to be true to yourself and remember that you are working for the people," Bunch said. "You should never allow your interest to overpower that."

Bunch said Dewayne is improving each day, with working continuing to build up his muscle mass so that he can continue with rehabilitation.

"He is a fighter and one special human being," Regina Bunch said of Dewayne.

"I am proud to be his wife. He is the reason I continue to do this."