Senator Donald Douglas

Donald Ray Douglas was born on March 6, 1957, in Maceo, Kentucky, the 14th of 16 children in his family. He grew up on a family farm in Daviess County, where his family was likely the only Black family in the area. Douglas attended Daviess County High School before pursuing higher education. He has distinguished himself as both a accomplished physician and political leader, becoming the first African-American Republican state senator in Kentucky when he assumed office in 2021.

Outside of his legislative duties, Douglas works as medical director and lead physician at the Tony Delk IMAC Regeneration Center in Lexington, Kentucky, where he specializes in non-narcotic pain management.

Education

Douglas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Western Kentucky University. He then attended the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, graduating in 1986, where he became the first Black resident in orthopedics at the institution. He completed medical internships at the University of Kentucky and Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, New York. Following his orthopedic residency, Douglas specialized in anesthesiology and non-narcotic pain management.

Political Experience

Party: Republican

District: Kentucky Senate District 22, which encompasses Jessamine, Mercer, Garrard, Washington counties, and part of Fayette County

Position: Member of the Kentucky Senate

Term: Assumed office on November 18, 2021, following a special election

Douglas won his special election with more than 70% of the vote, defeating Democrat Helen Bukulmez and independent Sindicat "Sid" Dunn. He succeeds Tom Buford, who previously represented the district.

In the Senate, Douglas serves on multiple committees including Health Services, Licensing & Occupations, Banking & Insurance, and Transportation . He also chairs the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation and the Government Contract Review Committee.