LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Last month, Gov. Andy Beshear appointed Gerina Whethers as the new Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney, the first Black woman in the role.

She succeeds Thomas Wine, who died in May after a brief illness.

“I know our office misses him, so it’s great to have a great beginning because he put so much in here,” she said, during an interview at her office last week. “He invested, embraced this wonderful group of people.”

Whethers grew up in the South End after her family moved from New York to Louisville.

She recently served in Frankfort as secretary of the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet, but her career has included positions in the Office of the Attorney General, Jefferson County Attorney’s Office and time in the banking industry.

“My life has gone full circle to be back home in Louisville, be back home with the city, be in an office where I know a lot of the folk, because we worked together, and we all have the same common purpose,” said Whethers.

Addressing gun violence and embracing Louisville’s youth are at the top of her list, she said.  

“Part of that is to be able to work in prevention, look at group intervention, group violence intervention and be able to build bridges and work with other communities and services, programs,” Whethers said.

Her message to Louisvillians: “Just hold on. I mean, change is coming, if we’re open to it.”

Whethers will run as a Democrat in a November special election to serve through the end of 2024.