Rick G. Nelson (born June 11, 1954 in Black Star Coal Camp, Kentucky) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives representing District 87 since January 2001.
He ran for Kentucky State Treasurer in the 2015 elections to succeed term-limited Democratic incumbent Todd Hollenbach, but lost to Republican Allison Ball.
Nelson earned his BS from Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and earned his MA from Eastern Kentucky University.
2012 Nelson was unopposed for the May 22, 2012 Democratic Primary and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 8,860 votes (69.6%) against Republican nominee Joshua Howard.
1998 When District 87 Representative Michael Bowling left the Legislature and left the seat open, Nelson ran as an Independent in the three-way November 3, 1998 General election, but lost to Republican nominee Bo Ausmus.
2000 When Representative Ausmus left the Legislature and left the seat open, Nelson was unopposed for the 2000 Democratic Primary and won the November 7, 2000 General election with 5,853 votes (52.3%) against Republican nominee Scott Madon.
2002 Nelson was unopposed for the 2002 Democratic Primary and won the November 5, 2002 General election with 8,017 votes (67.1%) against Republican nominee Timothy Lasley.
2004 Nelson was unopposed for both the 2004 Democratic Primary and the November 2, 2004 General election, winning with 9,095 votes.
2006 Nelson was challenged in the three-way 2006 Democratic Primary, winning with 4,239 votes (63.1%) and won the November 7, 2006 General election with 10,253 votes (78.1%) against Republican nominee Glynna Brown.
2008 Nelson was unopposed for both the 2008 Democratic Primary and the November 4, 2008 General election, winning with 9,334 votes.
2010 Nelson was unopposed for the May 18, 2010 Democratic Primary and the November 2, 2010 General election, winning with 9,202 votes (77.5%) against Republican nominee Barry Carnes, who had run in the Republican Primary in 2002.
