Janelle Rowena Glass – Candidate for Kentucky State Representative District 11

Candidate Questionnaire

What is your name: Janelle Rowena Glass

What office are you seeking? Kentucky State Representative, District 11

What is your age: 47

Please provide your family background (i.e. spouse, children, grandchildren, pets): I am the proud daughter of Ronnie Glass (who was among the few African American students to integrate 7th Street School in the mid-to-late 1950s and graduated from Henderson City High School, Class of 1965) and Jackie Glass (Central High School, Evansville, Class of 1966). Sister to Ronald C.A. Glass (sister-in-law Carolina), Suzanne Glass Foster, and Nicholas Micheal Glass (sister-in-law Sarah). I am unmarried with no children, and the proud auntie of six wonderful nieces and nephews ranging in age from almost 11 to 34: CJ (Clyde Jacob, Henderson County High School, Class of 2011, basketball manager), Cece (Cecilia, Henderson County High School, Class of 2012, step/drill team), Jasmine, Jonathan, Joshua, and Athalbjört (AJ).

I share a distant connection to local trailblazer Dr. James Glass (married to Ora Glass), who fought tirelessly for equal education in Henderson County, and to singer Timmy Thompson (and as I’m often asked, there is a potential family connection to actor Ron Glass, though it has never been formally clarified).

Our family has loved pets through the years—from our Beagle, Jingle Bells, when we first moved to my dad’s hometown of Henderson in 1995, and a Schnauzer mix named Pepper (2006–2009), to our current mischievous tabby cat, Timone.

What is your educational background? (i.e. high school, GED, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral degree, etc.):

• Primary & Secondary Education: Attended both public and private schools throughout my education; graduated from Henderson County High School (Class of 1998)
• Associate in Arts: Henderson Community College (KCTCS / University of Kentucky system)
• Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication: University of Southern Indiana
• Master of Health Administration in Health Informatics and Information Management (MHA in HIIM): University of Southern Indiana

Have you been elected to a political office previously? If so, what office(s) and when did you hold those office(s)?

• Elected State Delegate (Kentucky) / State Convention Delegate (Indiana)
• Elected Township Committee Member (Indiana)
• Executive Secretary, Henderson County Democratic Executive Committee (stepped down to run for State Representative)

What is your professional background? (Please include career and any boards and volunteer work): My professional background spans health informatics and administration, public school support, retail management, logistics, and grassroots civic leadership. I have dedicated my time to local party organization, community engagement, and advocating for working families.

Why are you running for office? I am running to be a steady, accessible advocate for working families across District 11. Having navigated workplace injury, the intricacies of healthcare administration, and the daily pressures facing our workforce, I believe state policy must prioritize family stability and local vitality over corporate convenience. As a proud product of both public and private education, I understand the distinct value of both—which is why I firmly believe state tax dollars must remain dedicated to fully supporting our public school classrooms. I will also fight to preserve vital safety nets and guarantee that residential ratepayers never carry the financial weight of industrial expansion.

If elected to office, what would be your top three goals?

1. Protect Workers & Elevate Job Quality: Strengthen workplace safety standards, protect just compensation for injured workers, and foster sustainable, high-retention jobs to eliminate the exhausting revolving door for local employees.
2. Fully Fund & Support Public Education: As someone educated in both private and public schools, I know firsthand why public education is the bedrock of our communities. I will ensure dedicated state tax dollars stay in our public school classrooms so teachers, staff, and students receive the full funding they need without diversion.
3. Safeguard Utility Ratepayers & Community Infrastructure: Mandate that large-scale commercial and data center developments cover their own utility infrastructure so local households never foot the bill for surging water, electricity, and power demands.

Why should people vote for you? Voters deserve a representative with deep generational roots, administrative know-how, and genuine empathy. I lead with an open ear and govern with a firm backbone. I will stand resolute against any efforts to sunset or cut vital programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, while ensuring District 11 remains affordable, prosperous, and welcoming for every family.

Please feel free to add an additional comment: My commitment to our community is rooted in lifelong involvement. At Henderson County High School, I participated in Color Guard, Speech & Debate, Theater/Fine Arts, Pep Club, Computer Tech Club, and was honored to be in Honors History and Gifted & Talented programs. At Henderson Community College, I served as a feature writer for the student newspaper, The Hill, taught freshman orientation, and had the honor of being named HCC’s 1999 Homecoming Princess, representing our campus on the University of Kentucky Homecoming Court.

A strong community is built on dignity in the workplace, quality public schools, and an unwavering commitment to our neighbors. With both the lived experience to understand your daily challenges and the disciplined resolve to advocate effectively in Frankfort, I am ready to serve.