Draft:Vic Hellard Jr.: Difference between revisions

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In 2013, legislative leaders commissioned the National Conference of State Legislatures to conduct a performance audit of the LRC following three female staffers accusing Representative [[John Arnold (Kentucky politician)|John Arnold]] of sexual harassment, and that the commission failed to protect them. A draft of the report was submitted in April 2014, but was not released until January 2015 in part due to [[President of the Kentucky Senate|Senate President]] [[Robert Stivers]] not believing it adequately addressed the hostile work environment lawsuits the aforementioned female employees had filed since their accusations against Arnold.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheves |first=John |date=January 23, 2015 |title=House speaker pledges to seek release of LRC audit that was conducted in response to scandals |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article44548917.html |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Lexington Herald-Leader}}</ref>

In 2013, legislative leaders commissioned the National Conference of State Legislatures to conduct a performance audit of the LRC following three female staffers accusing Representative [[John Arnold (Kentucky politician)|John Arnold]] of sexual harassment, and that the commission failed to protect them. A draft of the report was submitted in April 2014, but was not released until January 2015 in part due to [[President of the Kentucky Senate|Senate President]] [[Robert Stivers]] not believing it adequately addressed the hostile work environment lawsuits the aforementioned female employees had filed since their accusations against Arnold.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheves |first=John |date=January 23, 2015 |title=House speaker pledges to seek release of LRC audit that was conducted in response to scandals |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article44548917.html |access-date=June 24, 2025 |website=Lexington Herald-Leader}}</ref>

The 75-page report detailed numerous issues with the commission, and pointed to the power vacuum left behind after Hellard’s retirement as a contributing factor to its current problems. Specifically, the report stated that Hellard was, “strong, charismatic, and talented,” and he led the commission with, “strength of character … a natural instinct for leadership, a keen eye for talent, a close working relationship with legislators, a deep understanding of the process and an abiding affection for the legislative institution.”<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Loftus |first=Tom |date=January 27, 2015 |title=Report: LRC staff’s frustrations have merit |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-legislature/2015/01/27/report-kentucky-legislative-staffs-frustrations-merit/22402801/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the report also stated that the continued use of this leadership style by hs successors was, “ill-suited to cope with the demands of today’s workplace and the challenges presented in an age of limited resources, a new generation of employees and a more dynamic political landscape.”<ref name=”:1″ />

The 75-page report detailed numerous issues with the commission, and pointed to the power vacuum left behind after Hellard’s retirement as a contributing factor to its current problems. Specifically, the report stated that Hellard was, “strong, charismatic, and talented,” and he led the commission with, “strength of character … a natural instinct for leadership, a keen eye for talent, a close working relationship with legislators, a deep understanding of the process and an abiding affection for the legislative institution.”<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |last=Loftus |first=Tom |date=January 27, 2015 |title=Report: LRC staff’s frustrations have merit |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/ky-legislature/2015/01/27/report-kentucky-legislative-staffs-frustrations-merit/22402801/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the report also stated that the continued use of this leadership style by hs successors was, “ill-suited to cope with the demands of today’s workplace and the challenges presented in an age of limited resources, a new generation of employees and a more dynamic political landscape.”<ref name=”:1″ />

== Personal life ==

== Personal life ==

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Victor Wilcoxin Hellard Jr. (August 16, 1939 – September 17, 1996) was an American politician and public servant who served as director of the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) from 1977 to 1995. He had previously served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing Kentucky’s 56th House district from 1972 to 1975.

He holds the distinction of having the longest tenure of any LRC director, serving in the position for over eighteen years, during which he is credited with transforming the commission into its modern form.^[1]

Early life and education

Hellard was born in Woodford County, Kentucky to Victor and Leona (Tilghman) Hellard. His father owned a Ford dealership, while his mother was a homemaker.^[2] He graduated from Versailles High School in 1958 before enrolling at Eastern Kentucky University. While at Eastern, Hellard was a member of the debate club, Kappa Pi honor society, and elected student body president.^[3][4] In 1965, he graduated with an Artium Baccalaureus degree and enrolled at the University of Kentucky College of Law, where he was a classmate of future senator Mitch McConnell, and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1968.^[2] During this period, he also was a member of the Kentucky Democratic Party’s central committee as well as the Kentucky Young Democrat’s central committee.^[5]

Kentucky House

State Representative: 1972-1976

In 1970, Representative William McCann was redistricted from Kentucky’s 56th House district to the 78th House district. Jessamine and Woodford counties maintained their legislative boundaries, but were redistricted in name only out of the 52nd House district, and into the 56th House district.^[6] Hellard won the three-way Democratic primary held on May 25 with 2,772 votes (54.7%), and won the 1971 Kentucky House of Representative’s election with 4,928 votes (67%) against Republican candidate Arthur L. Lindsey.^[7] He assumed office on January 1, 1972.

During his tenure, Hellard served on the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee as well as the House Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments and the House Committee on Health and Welfare. After his reelection in 1973, Hellard served as vice chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.^[8][9][10]

Hellard did not seek reelection in 1975, and was among many young retiring legislators that year who were noted in the media as having, “…showed promise[.]”^[11]

Special counsel: 1976–1977

Following his retirement as a legislator, Hellard practiced law in Woodford County while also serving as special counsel to Kentucky House Speaker William Kenton during the 1976 Kentucky General Assembly as well as its special session that December.^[12][13]

LRC Director

Appointment

In February 1977, LRC Director Phil Conn announced his intentions to resign from his position. Conn had held the role of director since November 1974, but reportedly had a number of disputes with legislators and staff throughout his tenure.^[12] Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Prather led a screening committee for the selection of the commission’s next director, however Hellard as well as former director of public relations for the University of Kentucky Fred Woodress were the only applicants. Hellard had the backing of Kenton prior to Conn’s resignation, resulting in his unanimous selection in March as the LRC’s next director.^[12] When he assumed office on April 16, he became the first LRC director to be appointed by the legislature, and not the governor.^[1][13]

Tenure: 1977–1995

Hellard holds the record for longest serving director of the LRC, which allowed him to be present for and often assist in the evolution of the Kentucky General Assembly into its modern form. This includes both physically, as was the case in December 1977 with the expansion of committee meetings rooms into the capital annex building, and spiritually with the push during the 1970s for legislative independence from the governor’s influence.

Independent legislature

For much of Kentucky’s history, the General Assembly was heavily influenced by and often had control exerted over its members by the governor.

• Advocate for independent legislature, modernization, and nonpartisan/ professional staff^[14]
• 1979 special session saw rise of black sheep squadron and steps towards legislative independence
• Was director during KERA; BOPTROT
• Chaired Governor Carroll’s 1979 flood task force, as he himself was a victim of the December 1978 flooding in Frankfort.^[15]

• received 1995 CSG Carter Legislative Staff Award

Retirment power vacuum

In 2013, legislative leaders commissioned the National Conference of State Legislatures to conduct a performance audit of the LRC following three female staffers accusing Representative John Arnold of sexual harassment, and that the commission failed to protect them. A draft of the report was submitted in April 2014, but was not released until January 2015 in part due to Senate President Robert Stivers not believing it adequately addressed the hostile work environment lawsuits the aforementioned female employees had filed since their accusations against Arnold.^[16]

The 75-page report detailed numerous issues with the commission, and pointed to the power vacuum left behind after Hellard’s retirement in 1995 as a contributing factor to its current problems. Specifically, the report stated that Hellard was, “strong, charismatic, and talented,” and he led the commission with, “strength of character … a natural instinct for leadership, a keen eye for talent, a close working relationship with legislators, a deep understanding of the process and an abiding affection for the legislative institution.”^[17] However, the report also stated that the continued use of this leadership style by hs successors was, “ill-suited to cope with the demands of today’s workplace and the challenges presented in an age of limited resources, a new generation of employees and a more dynamic political landscape.”^[17]

Personal life

Hellard married Ellen Carpenter on XXX. The two had no children, and lived in Versailles.

During his free time, Hellard was a frequent chautauqua speaker, and gave lectures while in character and dressed as Governor Edwin P. Morrow.^[18]

Death and legacy

Hellard died on September 17, 1996, at Woodford Hospital in Versailles. He laid in state at the Kentucky Capitol building’s rotunda prior to his funeral on September 19, and was interred at Versailles Cemetery. His headstone is engraved with the phrase, “An Honorable Kentuckian,” as well as the seal of Kentucky.

Following his passing, numerous public officials eulogized Hellard and his career. On September 25, McConnell paid tribute to Hellard on the floor of the United States Senate, “[Hellard] worked behind the scenes as the glue that held the Kentucky General Assembly together.” Former Kentucky House Speaker Bobby Richardson stated, “Vic’s legacy is that he turned the LRC into a professional, informed support staff for the legislature, which allowed the legislature to become an equal partner with the governor.” Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler stated, “He was the shepherd of legislative independence, but he never accepted the credit he deserved for anything he did. That was part of his charm.’’^[2]

In 1997, the LRC established the Vic Hellard Jr. Award to be awarded annually to an outstanding legislative staffer. The Council of State Governments also honored Hellard with an award, renaming the Carter Legislative Staff Award to the Carter/ Hellard Legislative Staff Award.^[19] During the second special session of the 1997 Kentucky General Assembly, the House and Senate passed resolutions for a bronze plaque honoring Hellard to be placed on the third floor of the state capitol building.^[20][21] The plaque was made by sculptor Ed Hamilton, and is located outside the LRC director’s office.^[22][23]

In 2004, the University of Kentucky College of Law inducted Hellard into their alumni hall of fame.^[24]

During the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly, Majority Whip Joe Barrows filed House Bill 751 to rename the capitol annex office building the “Vic Hellard Jr. Legislative Office Building.” The bill was passed unanimously by the House, but failed to receive a committee hearing in the Senate.^[25]

The Vic Hellard Jr. Memorial Bridge is located on the Martha Layne Collins Bluegrass Parkway, and spans over the Kentucky River in Woodford County.^[26]

References