Bobby W. McCool
Candidate for State Representative, 97th District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative; retired educator
- Lives in
- Van Lear
State representative since 2019 for District 97 (Johnson and Martin counties and part of Pike County) and chair of the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee. A Marine Corps veteran and former coal miner who retired in 2017 as a vice president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College.
Photo: Official portrait — Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
Documented positions
Education
Pledges to protect retired teachers' pensions
ReportBobby McCool For State Representative 97th District (campaign Facebook page, including Appalachia Insider's interview "Serving the People")Candidate social media · Facebook · facebook.com
“As a retired public educator, I understand that a pension is a promise”
Economy & jobs
Supports keeping rare-earth mining benefits in Eastern Kentucky
In the Appalachia Insider interview he backs recovering rare earth elements from coal ash and coal waste.
ReportBobby McCool For State Representative 97th District (campaign Facebook page, including Appalachia Insider's interview "Serving the People")Candidate social media · Facebook · facebook.com
“We need the mechanisms and policies in place to make sure the benefits are maintained here.”
Roads & infrastructure
Pledges to finish U.S. 460 and Martin County water projects
From Appalachia Insider's interview posted on his campaign page.
ReportBobby McCool For State Representative 97th District (campaign Facebook page, including Appalachia Insider's interview "Serving the People")Candidate social media · Facebook · facebook.com
“I want to see U.S. 460 completed, and I want to see Martin County's water and wastewater infrastructure completed.”
Health & human services
Sponsored bill funding accessibility ramps for disabled veterans' homesIn office
One of the primary sponsors of HB 214 (2026). It passed the House and was sent to the Senate on Jan. 30, 2026, but did not become law.
ReportHB 214 (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to disabled veterans.Government record · Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission) · apps.legislature.ky.gov
“funding the construction and installation of accessibility ramps on residences of disabled veterans”
Government & transparency
Opposes Flock license-plate camera surveillance
ReportBobby McCool For State Representative 97th District (campaign Facebook page, including Appalachia Insider's interview "Serving the People")Candidate social media · Facebook · facebook.com
“I will fight against Flock cameras with every fiber of my being.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Bobby W. McCool on them.
- Public safetyNo documented position found.
All sources (10)
- Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State, 2026 General Election (Johnson County offices and districts)
Election filing · Kentucky Secretary of State · web.sos.ky.gov
- Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State, 2026 General Election (Martin County offices and districts)
Election filing · Kentucky Secretary of State · web.sos.ky.gov
- Martin County Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election (Martin County Clerk)
Election filing · Martin County Clerk (posted by the Kentucky Secretary of State) · web.sos.ky.gov
- Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State, 2026 General Election (Pike County offices and districts)
Election filing · Kentucky Secretary of State · web.sos.ky.gov
- Pike County Sample Ballot, General Election, November 3, 2026 (published under KRS 424.290)
Election filing · Pike County Clerk (posted by the Kentucky Secretary of State) · web.sos.ky.gov
- Candidate Filings with the Office of the Secretary of State, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Kentucky Secretary of State · web.sos.ky.gov
- Representative Bobby McCool: legislator profile (House District 97)
Government record · Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission) · legislature.ky.gov
- Rep. Bobby McCool: sponsored bills, 2025 and 2026 Regular Sessions
Government record · Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission) · apps.legislature.ky.gov
- Bobby McCool For State Representative 97th District (campaign Facebook page, including Appalachia Insider's interview "Serving the People")
Candidate social media · Facebook · facebook.com
- HB 214 (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to disabled veterans.
Government record · Kentucky General Assembly (Legislative Research Commission) · apps.legislature.ky.gov
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.