CAMPTON, Ky. — In Wolfe County, voters made a notable decision to put a 19-year-old into a leadership role.

What You Need To Know

  • Jake Denniston, 19, is the youngest councilman in Campton

  • He received the most votes in the election, and now also serves as the city’s vice mayor

  • His love of politics started in high school 

  • Denniston’s first plan is to prioritize a water crisis currently in the area

Jake Denniston has spent many hours inside Wolfe County’s historic courthouse. It’s where he held meetings as president of the Young Democrats Club for Wolfe County High School. Denniston says his passion for politics flourished and his community became his focus. 

It’s why the Hazard Community and Technical College freshman ran for Campton City Council.

“I ran on the water issues. I ran on the working single mothers who have a hard time feeding their kids. I ran on things like that, things that matter, the issues I heard about, you know, in line behind me in the grocery store.”

On Dec. 3, Denniston was sworn in as Wolfe County’s youngest councilman. Because he won the most votes, he will also serve as vice mayor.

“When I knocked on the door, I said, this isn’t for me. This isn’t politics. This is public service. What it should have been. We have gotten far away from that idea. It’s not just on the local level goes all the way to the national level.” Denniston explained. “We have lost public service. We’ve got, you know, people who are motivated by external things other than the people.”

He says his priority is investigating a water situation. Another goal is to create safe and engaging areas for young people.

“I wish there was more to do for the youth. I think, you know, getting somebody to watch our city parks and public spaces to make sure that they are a safe place for families and not drugs would be, you know, a simple task like that,” he said.

Denniston says while he could show his plans on the trail, he’s now looking to make the city a “more perfect community.”   

Denniston says right now he, city leaders, water plant staff,and others are still working on the ongoing water situation and are providing updates along the way.