KENTUCKY — Former state Rep. Brent Yonts has passed away after a weeks-long battle with COVID-19. He was fully vaccinated, according to his family.

What You Need To Know

  • Former state Rep. Brent Yonts has died following a battle with COVID-19

  • His family said he was fully vaccinated

  • Yonts was a Democratic member of the state House for almost 20 years

  • Reactions began to pour in after the news of his passing.

Yonts was a Democratic member of the state House, representing District 15. He took office in 1997 and served until his defeat in 2016. 

In a Facebook post earlier this month, Yonts' daughter, Ellen Yonts Suetholz, said he had been placed on a ventilator on Aug. 15. 

"It has taken a toll on him and the hospital did everything possible to prevent this from happening but as he remains critical, it was the only option," Suetholz wrote at the time. 

Reactions began to pour in after the news of his passing.

Gov. Andy Beshear called Yonts "a leader who worked to better the lives of Kentuckians across the commonwealth."

Democratic House Reps. Joni Jenkins, D-Shively; Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort; and Angie Hatton, D-Whitesburg, issued a joint statement.

"We mourn the passing of Brent Yonts, our great friend and former caucus colleague, and pray for his family and those close to him," they wrote. "Brent served his House district and all of Kentucky with distinction for two decades, establishing a long record of accomplishments that will benefit the commonwealth for many years to come."

Speaker of the House Rep. David Osborne, R-Prospect, said Yonts was "well-known for his colorful attire and clever wit, but the true hallmark of his character was his devotion to his family. May God be with them as they celebrate his life."