Top-ranking Democrat won’t seek reelection next year in GOP-dominated Kentucky House

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State Rep. Derrick Graham, the top-ranking Democrat in the GOP-dominated Kentucky House, announced Friday that he won’t seek another term next year.

Graham, who is from the capital city of Frankfort, has earned a reputation as a staunch supporter of public education during a legislative career spanning more than two decades. He served as House Education Committee chairman when Democrats were still in control of the chamber. Graham made history last year as the first African-American to lead a legislative caucus in the Kentucky House.

“I feel strongly that now is the time to give someone else the chance to be our next state representative, a job I have loved since first being elected in 2002,” Graham, who serves as the House Democratic Caucus leader, said in a statement Friday.

His decision not to seek reelection in 2024 is the latest in a series of announcements from veteran lawmakers who say they won’t be on the legislative ballot next year.

Republican state Rep. Russell Webber announced this week that he will retire from the legislature to serve in incoming state Treasurer Mark Metcalf’s office. Webber has served as chairman of the House Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee.

“Russell leveraged that role to pass policies that played a major part in the historic economic investment we have seen over the past six years as well as the record number of new jobs,” House Speaker David Osborne said in a statement Thursday.

Republicans hold overwhelming majorities in the Kentucky House and Senate, using that clout to put their conservative stamp on state policies. Both parties are assembling lineups of legislative candidates for next year’s election. As usual, it will include new names as some incumbents step aside.

Two Louisville lawmakers — Republican Rep. Kevin Bratcher and Democratic Rep. Josie Raymond — recently announced plans to seek separate Louisville Metro Council seats next year.

Another lawmaker who announced recently that he won’t seek reelection next year is Republican state Rep. Danny Bentley, who represents a district in northeastern Kentucky.

Veteran Republican state Sen. John Schickel announced last month that he won’t seek reelection. He serves as chairman of the Senate Licensing & Occupations Committee.

“I have always thought citizen legislators should not make a career out of their service because I strongly believe in the founding principles of a government of the people and by the people,” Schickel said.

Graham said he plans to enjoy retirement once his term ends a little more than a year from now.

“I promised my wife that I would begin to scale that back so we can truly enjoy our retirement, and this decision will fulfill that goal,” he said.