In 1951, Breathitt was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the
Kentucky House of Representatives, representing the Ninth District. He also co-sponsored the Minimum Foundation Program for Education. He was chair of the state speaker's bureau for
Adlai Stevenson's
presidential campaign in 1952, and two years later, he worked on the staff of
Senator Alben Barkley's re-election campaign. When Combs was elected governor later that year, he appointed Breathitt as State Personnel Commissioner, charging him with writing legislation to create a
merit system for state employees. The anti-Chandler faction became concerned that, if they did not name a candidate, Chandler's early announcement would give him an advantage in the 1963 election. Combs eventually convinced the anti-Chandler faction to back Breathitt, and Ward never became a candidate. During the primary campaign, Chandler focused his attacks on the Combs administration rather than the inexperienced Breathitt. A seasoned campaigner, he bitterly attacked the three percent
sales tax enacted during the Combs administration. He further charged that Chandler's son-in-law was collecting campaign donations from individuals who desired favors from state government. Breathitt won the primary by more than 60,000 votes and carried all but one of the state's congressional districts. This campaign ended Chandler's political career.
The New Republic charged that Nunn ran "the first outright segregationist campaign in Kentucky." Further, the unexpected death of Richard P. Moloney, a key legislative leader, was a blow to Breathitt's ability to push his agenda through the General Assembly. Other minor accomplishments included passing a purchasing law, strengthening strip mining regulations, and improving benefits for teachers. Breathitt's opposition helped prevent the SGA's endorsement of the amendment, since endorsement required a unanimous vote. County leaders opposed the document because of perceived threats to the independence of local governments and an apparent consolidation of power in
Frankfort. The plan passed despite opposition from Lieutenant Governor
Harry Lee Waterfield. The act applied to many kinds of businesses not covered by the federal statute, and approximately ninety percent of the businesses in Kentucky were affected, compared to only sixty percent that were covered by the federal statute. Breathitt was a member of
National Governors Conference Executive Committee in 1964 and 1965 and chaired its Natural Resources Committee. In 1967, he was recognized with the
U.S. Department of Interior's Distinguished Service Award and
Outdoor Life magazine's Conservationist of the Year Award for his contributions to conservation. Other accomplishments of the 1966 legislature included the passage of a compulsory vehicle inspection law, tightening of restrictions on political contributions and expenditures by candidates for political office, and approval of a legislative redistricting law. The governor's road construction projects continued apace, and by the end of his term, Kentucky had more miles of highway under construction than any other state. During his term as governor, Breathitt was chair of the board of trustees at the
University of Kentucky. Under his leadership, the state's community colleges were placed under the governance of the university. Four state colleges achieved university status during Breathitt's administration. He also established the
Kentucky Educational Television network and Kentucky's vocational education system. ==Later life and death==