Edmonson Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges to Retire At End of Term: Daniel Priddy Will Run Unopposed For Job

Hodges Will Retire After 34 Years, Priddy Completes 19 years with KSP

Daniel Priddy recently filed to run for EC Circuit Court Clerk. He was joined by his father Rondal Priddy and EC Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges.

Darren Doyle, story:
Roles are changing in Edmonson County with more to come.

Edmonson County Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges has announced her retirement at the completion of her term, which will end in December, 2024. Clerk Hodges has been part of the Clerk's Office since 1987, serving the county for 34 years in various roles in the office.

Those roles include bookkeeper, deputy clerk, chief deputy clerk, and of course, the clerk. She jokingly said she'd served as everything there except maintenance.

"I've loved this job and I'm thankful to have it," she said. "I have grandchildren and my mother is till with me. I would like to spend more time with them, of course. I've loved it over the years but now it's time for me to move to other things."

Hodges' career in the office began immediately after her high school graduation.

"I was only going to be there until Brenda Luttrell was back from a medical leave," she said. "She actually started training me at her house in the afternoons after school. Ann Stewart took a chance on a 17 year-old child and changed my career path."

She said she had originally planned to be an educator but becoming part of the circuit clerk's office changed that. Former Clerk Sharon French promoted Hodges to Chief Deputy Clerk and then to Clerk after French's retirement. Hodges has served as main clerk since 2012.

Daniel Priddy was named KSP Post 3 Trooper of the Year in 2018 and statewide KSP Trooper of the Year in 2019.

So what's next? A new clerk will need to run for office for the Primary Election in May of 2024; however, one must pass a test to qualify to run for circuit clerk in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for non-current clerks.

There were 190 total tests taken for the 2024 election and only 58 passed, one of which was Priddy, who was also the only one in Edmonson County who was eligible to run.

Priddy, who stepped down from the KSP in December, served 19 years in various roles. He most recently was the Public Affairs Officer for KSP Post 3, which includes Edmonson County. That role has now been filled by KSP Trooper Katan Parker.

Priddy has been no stranger to public service, even outside of the KSP. His work earned him KSP Post 3 Trooper of the Year in 2018 and then statewide Trooper of the Year in 2019.

He has been active in local programs like D.A.R.E., Cram the Cruiser, Coffee with a Cop, and multiple school programs in Edmonson County.

Daniel Priddy reads to South Edmonson Elementary students.

Priddy said his involvement with local programs prompted him to seek more opportunities to serve his community at a more local level.

"This ignited a desire for me to continue my career of service in Edmonson County."

In December, KSP Post 3 Commander Tim Adams stated this about Daniel Priddy: "I would like to congratulate Trooper Daniel Priddy on a successful 19-year career with the Kentucky State Police and we wish him the best as he embarks upon his next chapter in life." 

So even though Priddy's name will be on the ballot for the Primary Election in May, he will run unopposed and will be the next Edmonson County Circuit Clerk, beginning in January of 2025. He has already been active during local court sessions as he prepares for the job.