More Than a Mortician: Josh New Seeks to Serve Pulaski County
By Staff Reporter | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate
Image Courtesy of Josh New © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)--- Josh New, a licensed funeral director and embalmer with nearly a decade of experience, has announced his candidacy for Pulaski County Coroner, bringing a unique blend of professional expertise and personal commitment to serve families during their most difficult moments.
Professional Foundation
A 2009 graduate of Southwestern High School, New began working in funeral homes while still a student, gaining early hands-on experience that would shape his career path. He went on to complete his education at Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he studied biology, psychology, anatomy, and business management—all directly applicable to coroner responsibilities.
Licensed as a funeral director and embalmer in 2015, New has expanded his credentials to include life insurance agent certification and crematory operator licensing. His professional experience encompasses hundreds of death calls, extensive family counseling, and close collaboration with coroners, medical examiners, emergency personnel, and funeral professionals.
"I believe both my education and work experience have fully prepared me for this position," New states. "These experiences have given me not only the technical skills but also the communication, investigative, and leadership abilities required to serve effectively as Pulaski County Coroner."
Key Campaign Priorities
New has outlined three primary focuses for his potential administration:
Building Trust in the Coroner's Office: "At a time when public trust in government is low, I want to lead a Coroner's Office that families can have complete confidence in," New explains. He emphasizes that every death will receive a thorough investigation with attention to detail, regardless of the family's social or economic standing.
Fiscal Responsibility: Recognizing that the Coroner's Office operates entirely on taxpayer funding, New commits to efficient operations without compromising the integrity of investigations or the quality of service.
Modernization and Community Outreach: New plans to adopt new technologies, diversify services, and expand the office's role beyond traditional expectations. This includes public education initiatives and collaboration with other agencies on prevention efforts.
Collaborative Leadership Approach
New emphasizes teamwork as one of his strongest assets, noting that the coroner's role combines medical knowledge, forensics, business management, and family compassion. "No one individual can excel in every area alone, which makes teamwork and collaboration essential," he says.
His approach to working with other agencies reflects this philosophy. "By the time the coroner is called to a scene, other agencies are almost always already present," New observes. He prioritizes building strong relationships with law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire and rescue, funeral homes, and other local agencies.
Addressing Current Challenges
New identifies staffing as the most significant challenge facing the office, recognizing the demanding nature of deputy positions that require balancing family life, other employment, and coroner's office responsibilities. His strategy focuses on creating a supportive, professional environment to retain and attract quality personnel.
He also acknowledges the evolving nature of the position, having witnessed the office's transformation from paper death certificates and film cameras to modern technology. "What I can promise is that I will meet those challenges with an open mind, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to working alongside our community partners," he states.
Personal Motivation
New's decision to seek office stems from both professional calling and personal experience. "I could not stand by and risk someone unqualified holding this vital office," he explains, noting that most people don't consider the coroner's importance until they need the services.
A close personal loss reinforced for New the critical nature of the position. "It's about providing professionalism, compassion, and reliability to families when they need it most, and I feel called to serve in that capacity."
Vision for Transparency
New commits to complete transparency and accountability, stating that the office will be "an open book" under his administration. "I will account for every dollar spent and every decision made—the responsibility ultimately stops with me if I am elected."
Importantly, New notes that the coroner position would not be his only source of income, allowing him to make decisions based on integrity rather than political considerations.
Community-Centered Philosophy
Reflecting on his grandfather's teaching about treating everyone equally, New emphasizes that every case deserves the same respect and attention. "Every case is high-profile in its own way—every time we're called out, it's someone's son, daughter, or loved one," he says.
For particularly sensitive cases, New plans to establish a task force of experienced professionals to ensure proper handling with professionalism, integrity, and respect.
Looking Forward
New envisions a well-equipped office that can handle every case efficiently and accurately while maintaining compassionate service to families. His plans include expanding community outreach, providing educational resources, and fostering an inclusive environment that represents all community members.
"My ultimate hope is that Pulaski County has the best Coroner possible, someone who will serve the community with dedication, regardless of who that may be," New concludes, emphasizing his commitment to the community over personal ambition.
The Pulaski County Coroner election will give voters the opportunity to choose from candidates representing various backgrounds and experiences, with New offering a platform grounded in funeral service expertise and community-focused leadership.
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(C) 2025 Somerset-Pulaski Advocate. All Rights Reserved
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