COVINGTON, Ky. — After nearly 60 years of public service, former Democratic Gov. Julian Carroll has died at 92. According to a statement from his family, he died around 4:45 a.m. Sunday at the Frankfort Regional Medical Center. 

What You Need To Know

  • Former Gov. Julian Carrol passed away at 92

  • He was Kentucky's 54th Governor, serving from 1974-1979

  • He was later a state legislator

  • Political science professor Stephen Voss said Carroll made big changes for Kentucky during his time as governor

Born and raised in McCracken County, Carroll spent five years representing the region in the state house before becoming lieutenant governor. In 1974 he took over as Kentucky’s 54th governor, completely shifting the state’s judicial systems.

Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Kentucky Stephen Voss says Carroll’s term was a major success for the state.

“Julian Carroll, helped lead the revamping and modernization of Kentucky’s judicial system and a beneficial change that, you know, has stuck around to this day,” Voss said.

As governor, Carroll reorganized the state’s judicial system, increased funding for public education and promoted the use of coal to reduce the 1973 energy crisis. Voss says his legal background aided his success.

“He was experienced with the legislative process and therefore he was able to lead as a very powerful Democrat who made big changes in public policy,” said Voss. 

While Carroll achieved much success for the state of Kentucky and the commonwealth, he ran into controversy in his later years. In 2017, Spectrum News 1 reported on sexual misconduct allegation, stemming from an alleged potential incident in 2005. Voss says despite these allegations he did good for the Bluegrass State.

“There’s no reason we can’t still look back at his governorship and realize that it was a good time for Kentucky, where important policy changes got made and where a governor had a very good relationship with the General Assembly, something we’ve not seen to that degree since him,” Voss explained.

Carroll was asked to resign, but refused. He was then quickly removed as minority whip, ultimately leaving office in Jan. 2021. Voss says it is important to remember his legacy. 

“It seems as though Gov. Julian Carroll left a pretty good legacy, even if maybe state legislator Julian Carroll less so,” Voss remarked.

Despite the allegations, he is remembered statewide through the Julian Carroll Purchase Parkway and the convention center in Paducah named after him. 

The former governor’s funeral arrangements are expected to be released Monday, Dec. 12. 

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