Rita Smart, 63, was elected to represent the 81st House District in November 2010, and is running for her second two-year term. Along with her husband, Richard, she owns the Bennett House Bed and Breakfast on West Main Street in Richmond. Prior to that, she was a county extension agent for Madison County from 1970 to 2005.
The mother of two daughters, Smart served one term on the Richmond City Commission, 2008-10. From 2005 to 2009, she was the part-time Main Street Coordinator for Richmond.
As of Oct. 22, Smart had spent $103,213 in both her primary and general election campaigns, according  to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

Mary McGill Long, 61, served on the Berea City Council a number of years ago, but this is the first time she has run for a state-level office. She has always been active in her community through volunteering and serving on boards, including with the American Cancer Society and the Madison County Tax Assessment Board. Long also has been a Girl Scout leader.
Born and raised in Perry County, Long is married to Dr. Rob Long and has a son, a daughter and a stepson.
As of Oct. 22, Long had spent $1,845 in both her primary and general election campaigns, according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.