Danny Bentley Explained

Danny Bentley
Term Start:January 1, 2017
Predecessor:Lew Nicholls
State House:Kentucky
District:98th
Education:University of Kentucky (BS, PharmD)
Residence:Russell, Kentucky
Party:Republican
Occupation:Pharmacist
Committees:BR Sub. on Health & Family Services (Chair)
Appropriations & Revenue
Banking & Insurance
Health Services
Local Government

Danny R. Bentley is an American politician who has served as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since January 2017. He represents Kentucky's 98th House district which includes Greenup County as well as part of Boyd County. He is not seeking reelection in 2024.[1]

Background

Bentley was raised in South Shore, Kentucky, and attended McKell High School. While at McKell, Bentley played both football and baseball alongside future Cincinnati Reds pitcher and coach, Don Gullett.[2] [3] After graduating in 1968, he went on to attend Eastern Kentucky University before transferring to the University of Kentucky where he would earn both his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.

Following graduation, Bentley was employed by Revco for nearly 20 years before opening his own pharmacy in 1991. During this period, he also was employed as an assistant professor of biology at Ohio University's Southern Campus.

Bentley identifies as a Baptist, and is a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church of Russell.[4] [5] He is also a fellow of the American College of Apothecaries.

Political career

Insulin advocacy

Bentley, who has type 2 diabetes himself, has been an active advocate for increased accessibility to insulin and diabetes care throughout his tenure.[6] From 2018 to 2024, Bentley introduced or co-sponsored 10 measures related to diabetes care including an attempt to pass "Alec's Law" which would have established a program to provide either a 30-day or 12-month supply of insulin at a reduced cost to individuals whose insurance carriers stopped providing insulin coverage.[7]

During the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly, Bentley introduced House Bill 95 which capped insulin co-pay costs at $30 for individuals on state health insurance plans.[8] It passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear on March 22, 2021.[9] [10]

Controversy

During the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, Bentley stated in a committee meeting that the abortion pill RU-486 was developed from the deadly chemical agent Zyklon B, and that the abortion pill was "invented by a Jew".[11] He then went on a tangent about Jewish women's sexual habits.[12] [13]

"Did you know that a Jewish woman has less cancer of the cervix than any other race in this country or this world? And why is that? Because the Jewish women only have one sex partner."[14]
Bentley was condemned by multiple Jewish groups and Governor Beshear.[15] Bentley later apologized for his statements, and stated that he stood with the Jewish community against hatred.

Elections

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Rep. Danny Bentley announces retirement from General Assembly . 2024-09-04 . spectrumnews1.com . en.
  2. Web site: 2001-03-05 . Mckell athletes recall old memories . 2024-09-04 . The Tribune . en.
  3. Web site: 2022-04-23 . Meet Dan - Dr. Dan Bentley - 98th district . 2024-09-04 . en-US.
  4. Web site: Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission . 2023-11-25 . legislature.ky.gov . 2023-09-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230913224610/https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/Pages/Legislator-Profile.aspx?DistrictNumber=98 . live .
  5. Web site: Danny Bentley . 2023-11-25 . Ballotpedia . en . 2023-05-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506023259/https://ballotpedia.org/Danny_Bentley . live .
  6. Web site: 2023-11-22 . Bentley announces retirement from legislature . 2023-11-25 . Yahoo News . en-US.
  7. Web site: Cross . Al . January 10, 2022 . Cap on insulin costs takes effect, but for fewer than 1/3 of Kentuckians; Biden bill would cover them all but its fate is in doubt . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky Health News.
  8. Web site: 21RS HB 95 . 2024-09-04 . apps.legislature.ky.gov.
  9. Web site: March 22, 2021 . American Diabetes Association® Applauds Kentucky Governor and State Legislature for Passing Bill to Cap Monthly Insulin Co-pays . September 4, 2024 . American Diabetes Association.
  10. Web site: 2022-01-01 . Kentucky law capping insulin cost for many goes into effect . 2024-09-04 . AP News . en.
  11. Web site: Kentucky governor: No place for antisemitism in Kentucky . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303215443/https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2022/03/03/rep--danny-bentley-jewish-women . 2022-03-03 . 2023-11-25 . spectrumnews1.com.
  12. Web site: Sonka . Morgan Watkins and Joe . Kentucky lawmaker apologizes for referencing Jewish women's sex life amid abortion debate . 2023-11-25 . The Courier-Journal.
  13. Web site: Culvyhouse . Henry . 2022-03-03 . Bentley in hot water with remarks: Representative makes comments construed as antisemitic on House floor . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220324054525/https://www.dailyindependent.com/news/bentley-in-hot-water-with-remarks-representative-makes-comments-construed-as-antisemitic-on-house-floor/article_e968f818-9b59-11ec-8fa4-53207ec96026.html . 2022-03-24 . 2023-11-25 . The Independent Online.
  14. Web site: 2022-03-04 . Kentucky Lawmaker Apologizes After 'Bizarre, Anti-Semitic Rant' About Abortion Pill . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230606163028/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/danny-bentley-jewish-women-abortion-pill_n_62213da4e4b04a0545d3c3e2 . 2023-06-06 . 2023-11-25 . HuffPost.
  15. Web site: 2022-03-04 . Gov. Beshear: No place for antisemitism in Kentucky . 2024-09-04 . LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX) . en.
  16. Web site: Commonwealth of Kentucky November 8, 2016 Official General Election Results . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky State Board of Elections . 55.
  17. Web site: Commonwealth of Kentucky November 6, 2018 Official General Election Results . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky State Board of Elections . 57.
  18. Web site: Commonwealth of Kentucky November 3, 2020 Official General Election Results . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky State Board of Elections . 67.
  19. Web site: Commonwealth of Kentucky May 17, 2022 Official Primary Election Results . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky State Board of Elections . 39.
  20. Web site: Commonwealth of Kentucky November 8, 2022 Official General Election Results . September 4, 2024 . Kentucky State Board of Elections . 74.

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