Rep. Brett Guthrie is more than just a great listener when he meets with electric cooperatives in his central Kentucky district. He actually understands the nitty-gritty of running a business, the state's co-op leaders say.

Before being elected to Congress in 2008, Guthrie helped lead his family's manufacturing company, Trace Die Cast Inc., an automotive parts supplier founded by his father and based in Bowling Green.

“While we appreciate every legislator or policymaker who is attuned to or aligned with cooperative concerns, what's really unique about Brett is that, because of his manufacturing background, he truly gets it," says Joe Arnold, vice president of strategic communications at Kentucky Electric Cooperatives.

“He understands the engineering and the practical realities. He's perhaps the most pragmatic, realistic, common-sense legislator you can find."

Guthrie has risen through the House ranks over the past 17 years to become chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he helps craft legislation on energy and environmental policies and a broad array of other issues, including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and interstate and foreign commerce.

While he is busy with those national issues, the congressman always takes time to meet with local co-op leaders, says Chris Perry, CEO and president of the statewide association.

Guthrie checked in on how co-ops were faring during Kentucky's recent rash of natural disasters, which have ranged from the devastation of Hurricane Helene to crippling ice storms, severe flooding and deadly tornadoes.

“We have been Storm Central here in Kentucky for the last several years," Perry says. “Brett has been in touch with us to make sure things are moving well. If we need help with FEMA or an RUS loan, he's willing to make a call to see what's happening."

Guthrie spoke to co-op leaders from across the nation in April at NRECA's 2025 Legislative Conference, where he talked about how America needs to meet the growing demand for electricity to power artificial intelligence or risk losing the battle with China over who controls AI.

“You're on the front lines," Guthrie told co-op CEOs. “And we can't do it without you."

While AI may seem like a Big Tech issue, Guthrie “always makes that connection to how it affects the people at home," says Chase Crigler, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives' vice president of government affairs.

“He's always looking to the future, just like the co-op movement did when people saw how important it was for rural America to grow. He sees us as a big part of what happens next."

Guthrie has supported an “all of the above" strategy for power generation, promoted increased use of nuclear energy and prioritized affordable and reliable electricity.

“As chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I'm committed to ensuring we harness our nation's resources to generate significant increases in baseload, dispatchable power to lower prices, secure our grid, and restore our nation's energy dominance," Guthrie says.

“Our rural electric co-ops play an important role in this mission, and I'm grateful for the work they do to provide reliable and affordable power to homes and businesses across the country."

The congressman was once voted the “nicest" member of the House in a survey of congressional staffers and is a warm, engaging lawmaker with a good sense of humor, Perry says.

“He's not stuffy at all. He's a good Kentuckian."

Guthrie is “cordial and nice and pleasant, but is also a firm, tough, passionate advocate" for the issues he cares about most, Arnold says.

“He shows that, even in this era, you can be adamant about what you believe but do it in a very gentlemanly way."

Guthrie represents Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District, which includes Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, Mammoth Cave National Park and Fort Knox. He served in the Kentucky state Senate for 10 years before his election to Congress.

The 61-year-old congressman graduated in 1987 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and went on to serve as a field artillery officer in the 101st Airborne Division–Air Assault at Fort Campbell. He later earned a master's degree in public and private management from Yale University.

Guthrie and his wife, Beth, have three grown children and three grandchildren.