Gary Barton inducted into Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame

Whitley County’s longest serving Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton now has an additional title.

U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers poses next to Whitley Circuit Court Clerk Gary Barton after Barton was inducted into the Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame recently.

Congressman Hal Rogers inducted Barton into Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame during the during the 83^rd Annual Fifth-District Lincoln Day Banquet, which was held last month at The Corbin Center.

Nearly 400 people attended the sold-out event to honor Republican leaders across the region.

Each year, the Fifth District Lincoln Club honors men and women from across Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District who serve as tireless advocates for the conservative principles of the Republican party. Some well-known prior Hall of Fame inductees include Rogers, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and former U.S. Senator Jim Bunning.

“As a former president of this club, Gary has been a stalwart advocate for conservative values and exemplary service to others. He is deeply rooted in programs that work to improve southern Kentucky from economic development, to civic engagement, tourism, family resources, and support for student athletes,” said Rogers.

“Gary is also a leader among his peers, having served on the Circuit Court Clerks Executive Committee and the Circuit Court Clerks Legislative Committee. In addition to the many hats he wears, one of Gary’s favorite pastimes has been coaching Upward Bound Basketball, Little League sports, and helping the local high school teams. I’m grateful for strong Republican leaders across our region, like Gary.”

Barton has served as circuit court clerk for the last 36 years.

“It is an honor to serve the people of Whitley County and a party that stands firm on conservative principles,” said Barton. “Together, we are here to make southeastern Kentucky a better place to live and to ensure that we protect these values for the next generation.”

Barton was one of three individuals inducted into the historic club’s Hall of Fame last month.

The 2023 inductees joining Barton include: Ann Ratliff, a long-time leader of the Johnson County Republican Party, and Mike Bryant, former Mayor of Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

Karen Kelly, former District Director for Congressman Rogers, received the 2023 Nancy Mitchell Women in Leadership Award.

Mitchell served as Vice-President of the Kentucky Federation of Republican Women, Vice-Chair of the Republican Party of Knox County, and was the first woman ever elected as a Corbin City Commissioner.

In 2012, Nancy Mitchell was inducted into the Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame alongside her husband, Bob Mitchell. In addition, she also built her own successful business, the Mitchell Tax and Accounting Firm.