It was a career-defining moment for Melinda Humphries.
Surrounded by friends, family and a host of deputy clerks in the fiscal court room, the longtime public servant was sworn in as Christian County clerk Thursday evening — law-binding words from Judge John Atkins affirming her oath.
She said it’s something she’s been waiting for not just this election season, but her entire life — and following a close election race against the capable Walter Cummings, it’s hers.
This past year was certainly a challenge. A Christian County election coordinator for ages, her role had to be incredibly reduced in 2022 due to her campaign, and as such had to delegate many of her associations with the process.
An unfortunate mishap in the May primary led to an electronic ballot mixup in the Hopkinsville City Council race, and many times, Humphries was visibly emotional and frustrated — yet never erupted out of turn.
Those are lessons she said she’s going to be able to bring to the clerk’s position now, and in perpetuity if the public permits it.
Humphries, a Republican, edged Cummings, the county’s treasurer, by 519 votes, and she steps into the role once held by her retiring boss, Mike Kem.
