Project Summary

Edward T. ("Ned") Breathitt Jr. was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1924. In 1951 he won the first of three consecutive terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives. During Governor Bert Combs' administration (1959-1963) he was Commissioner of Personnel. He beat former Governor Albert Chandler in the 1963 state primary and then went on to beat Republican Louie Nunn to become governor. He served as Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1963 to 1967. Breathitt discusses his work as governor as well as his life before and after the governorship and the circumstances that surrounded his initial involvement in politics.