After earning her degree in Behavioral Sciences from Morehead State University, Cherlynn worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and ran her own small business.  Eventually, she found her true passion - working to make Kentucky communities stronger and healthier, just like she learned in those Eastern Kentucky mountains.  Cherlynn served as an active leader in organizations like the Rotary Club of Lexington, Habitat for Humanity, CASA, Surgery on Sunday, the Toy Chest, Black Yarn, and the American Cancer Society, and helped to raise millions for these and other organizations, including raising over two million dollars for cancer research. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on supporting the people and communities of Kentucky because everyone should have a fair shot, and hard work should be rewarded.

In 2018, Cherlynn and her husband faced a medical emergency that nearly ended in tragedy.  Chris woke up alarmingly ill one morning with symptoms of a blood clot. Cherlynn rushed him to the hospital, arriving with only minutes to spare. Chris went into surgery immediately and spent three days in the ICU.  Thankfully, the amazing doctors and medical staff at Saint Joseph East saved his life. Just after they were able to rest in the relief of Chris’s survival, new challenges presented themselves. Because Cherlynn and Chris were both starting new jobs, they were without health insurance coverage during each employer's mandatory waiting period.  Their family faced medical bills.  They spent years under the emotional and financial burden of this debt, and were fortunate to be able to pay it off eventually.  Once in the legislature, Cherlynn pushed for legislation so that no family could be taken advantage of by insurance companies like this ever again.  

Later that year, after knocking more doors than any other state house candidate in Kentucky, she was elected to her first of three terms in Kentucky’s most competitive legislative seat. 

In the Kentucky legislature, Cherlynn boldly advocated for working families, teachers, veterans, healthcare, and children. She successfully worked across the aisle to bring new jobs and industry to Kentucky, protect access to health care, pass medical cannabis, legalize sports betting, and defeat a harmful school voucher proposal while increasing funding for public schools.   

Now, Cherlynn wants to bring those same values to Washington. America’s system of checks and balances is under attack. Hard-working Kentuckians are struggling to make ends meet, despite their best efforts.  Tariffs are driving prices higher and damaging our economy.  More than one million Kentuckians on Medicaid are seeing their health care threatened. The Department of Education is being dismantled and costing Kentucky schools and students billions, and, more importantly, it’s robbing our children of opportunity. Kentucky deserves better. 

Cherlynn knows firsthand what it’s like almost to lose a loved one in a crisis and then be buried under medical bills.  Cherlynn knows firsthand what it’s like to run a small business, not knowing whether you’ll sink or swim, watching every penny at home and at work.  Cherlynn knows what it’s like to grow up in a community where everyone works hard and receives their fair share, a community where everyone is supported.  That’s why Cherlynn is running for Congress.

Cherlynn lives in Lexington with her husband of 24 years, Chris, and their three cats: Peanut, Butter, and Jelly.