A Scott County attorney will soon transition to a new role as commonwealth’s attorney in the 14th Circuit after she defeated incumbent Sharon Muse Johnson in Tuesday night’s election.
She will be unopposed in the November election after running away with about 45% of the vote for her district.
Kearney has been a prosecutor with the Scott County Attorney’s Office for more than a decade, handling misdemeanor and felony cases. She defeated incumbent Muse Johnson and longtime attorney Keith Eardley.
Muse Johnson received 33% of the vote, followed by Eardley, who received 23%.
Kearney told the Herald-Leader she felt good about the results, watching them come in on the porch with her family.
“I am pleased that voters recognized that change is needed, and I am prepared to step in and continue to work for our circuit with integrity and honesty,” Kearney said.
She said she is confident in the results of the race and appreciates voters for their confidence in choosing her as the new Commonwealth’s Attorney.
During her time in the district attorney’s office, she said she spent time developing good working relationships with local law enforcement.
In addition, Kearney said her previous work as a victim advocate gives her a unique perspective on how crime impacts victims and their families.
It was this experience that inspired her to go to law school in an effort to do more for the community and victims, she said.
Kearney is endorsed by the Castle Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Woodford County and Attorney General Russell Coleman called her a “tough but fair” prosecutor.
Muse Johnson had served as Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2019. She could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
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