58 Facts About Julian Carroll

Julian Morton Carroll was an American lawyer and politician from the state of Kentucky.

Julian Carroll was most recently a member of the Kentucky Senate, representing Anderson, Franklin, Woodford, Gallatin, and Owen counties.

Julian Carroll was the first Kentucky governor from the state's far-western Jackson Purchase region.

Julian Carroll was elected to the first of five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1962 and served as speaker of that body from 1968 to 1970.

Julian Carroll ran for lieutenant governor in 1971 on an informal ticket with former governor Bert T Combs.

Combs lost in the Democratic primary to Wendell Ford, but Julian Carroll defeated his primary opponents and went on to win the general election.

Julian Carroll was elevated to the governorship in December 1974, after Ford unseated moderate Republican US Senator Marlow Cook.

Julian Carroll won a term as governor in his own right in 1975.

Julian Carroll oversaw a major reorganization of the state's judicial system following voters' approval of a constitutional amendment in 1975.

When Julian Carroll left office, both he and his predecessor were under the cloud of an investigation for an alleged insurance kickback scheme, but Julian Carroll was not convicted of any wrongdoing.

Julian Carroll announced shortly after his 88th birthday that he would not run for re-election in 2020.

Julian Carroll was born in West Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky.

Julian Carroll was the third of eleven children born to Elvie B "Buster" and Eva Carroll.

Julian Carroll's father was a tenant farmer, but shortly after the Ohio River flood of 1937, the family moved to Heath in McCracken County, where Buster Carroll sold tractor implements and in 1940 opened an automobile repair shop.

In 1949, Julian Carroll was selected to represent Heath High School at Kentucky Boys State, a week-long civic affairs summer camp for high school seniors-to-be.

At the camp, Julian Carroll was elected governor of the miniature government.

Julian Carroll began dating Charlann Harting near the end of 1950.

Julian Carroll earned an Associate in Arts degree from Paducah Junior College in 1952.

That summer, the family moved to Lexington where Julian Carroll matriculated to the University of Kentucky.

Julian Carroll funded his further education working for the Fayette County Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Office.

Julian Carroll was active in civic affairs, including membership in the Jaycees and serving as charter president of the Paducah Optimists Club in 1962.

Julian Carroll was a frequent lay speaker in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and from 1966 to 1967, served as moderator for the Kentucky Synod.

In January 1960, a group of local businessmen approached Julian Carroll about leading a campaign to allow the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide electricity to McCracken County.

Julian Carroll agreed to lead the campaign, and nine months later, voters approved the buyout by a three-to-one margin.

Julian Carroll was chosen Speaker of the House from 1968 through 1970.

Julian Carroll subsequently barred outsiders from the floor during debate and forbade eating in the chamber.

Julian Carroll had considered running for the US Senate in 1968, but dropped out of the race after just two weeks when he discovered that it would take well over $100,000 to run a competitive primary campaign.

Combs said he would provide the needed financing, and Julian Carroll agreed to enter the race.

Julian Carroll went on to defeat Republican Jim Host in the general election for lieutenant governor.

Governor Ford's allies encouraged Julian Carroll to run for the US Senate in 1974, but Julian Carroll had already set his sights on the governorship.

Gable rang the bell every time that he perceived that Julian Carroll was not telling the truth.

Julian Carroll won the general election by a vote of 470,159 to 277,998, representing a record margin of victory in the Kentucky governor's race.

Julian Carroll carried every congressional district, as well as Jefferson County, where a Democrat had not won a race in 20 years.

Julian Carroll's separately selected running mate, Thelma Stovall, became the first woman elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky.

Stovall, who was left as acting governor when Julian Carroll had left the state on business, called a special session of the legislature to enact a tax cut that Julian Carroll opposed but later endorsed.

Julian Carroll was charged with implementing an amendment to the state constitution approved by voters in 1975 to drastically reorganize the state's judicial system.

Julian Carroll strengthened the Minimum Foundation Program and provided free textbooks.

Julian Carroll cut the proposed budget for the state's Council on Higher Education by 40 percent.

Julian Carroll was called to testify before several congressional committees and served as an energy adviser to President Jimmy Carter.

Julian Carroll was one of many who opposed the damming of the Red River, which would have flooded Red River Gorge.

Julian Carroll was a supporter of a lemon law that was defeated in the 1976 legislative session.

Julian Carroll served as chairman of the National Governors Association in 1978.

Julian Carroll chaired the association's Natural Resources and Environmental Management Committee.

Julian Carroll served as the state's co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Julian Carroll received honorary degrees from the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, Murray State University, and Eastern Kentucky University in Kentucky, and from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Julian Carroll was named to the University of Kentucky Alumni Association's Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1975.

Julian Carroll's tenure was plagued by disasters, both natural and man-made.

Julian Carroll formed the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction and strengthened the state fire marshal's office.

In September 1978, at a tribute ceremony for Muhammad Ali held at Fairgrounds Stadium in Louisville, Julian Carroll proclaimed 1978 the "Year of Ali" and presented to Ali the Governor's Distinguished Service Award.

Julian Carroll's credibility took a severe hit as a result of an investigation into an alleged insurance kickback scheme during the Ford administration and carrying on into his administration.

When called before a grand jury in 1980, Julian Carroll invoked the Fifth Amendment.

Julian Carroll was not convicted of any wrongdoing, but his first state Democratic Party chairman, Howard P "Sonny" Hunt, was after refusing to cooperate with the investigation.

In 2003, Julian Carroll actively lobbied the General Assembly to legalize casino-style gambling at the state's horse racetracks.

Julian Carroll made headlines in 2007 when he called on Fletcher's lieutenant governor, Steve Pence, to resign for his disloyalty after Pence endorsed Anne Northup in the Republican gubernatorial primary rather than backing Fletcher's re-election bid.

Julian Carroll was re-elected without opposition in 2016 from a district now comprising Anderson, Woodford, Franklin, Owen, and Gallatin counties.

Julian Carroll announced shortly after his 88th birthday that he would not run for re-election in 2020 and was endorsing State Representative Joe Graviss to succeed him.

Julian Carroll died at a medical center in Frankfort, Kentucky, on December 10,2023, at age 92.

Julian Carroll had spent his final months in hospice care in Frankfort.