FRANKFORT — Ed Worley, the Democratic floor leader in the state Senate from Richmond, said late Wednesday he won’t run for re-election, preferring to concentrate on his private business, family and health after more than 30 years in public life.
“Representing three counties, serving as the Senate Democratic floor leader and running a small business in a bad economy is more than good reason or good health can handle,” said Worley who represents the 34th Senate District of Lincoln, Madison and Rockcastle counties. “I love the Senate. It has been an education that you cannot buy. I think my time here has been beneficial to the 34th District and all of Kentucky.”
Worley, 53, said he discussed his decision with his family and decided it is time to concentrate on them and his private construction business, WG&T; Construction based in Richmond.
“I’m 53 and if I continue to push myself to the same level I have for the past 20 years, it’s going to result in a toll on your health,” Worley said. He will serve out the remainder of his term which ends in December and will continue as Minority Floor Leader.
He said his decision had nothing to do with his sponsorship of a bill in this session to allow video lottery terminals at horse tracks, a bill sought by Gov. Steve Beshear who wants to use the potential revenue to balance the state budget and to help the ailing horse industry. He said he filed the bill “in consultation” with Gov. Beshear but he’s always supported efforts to help the horse industry.
“I have been out front on that issue forever,” said Worley. “The industry is in absolute, total crisis and I think the state needs another source of revenue.”
He said he’s discussed the possibility he might not run for re-election with others who have interest in his seat should he not run again, but he declined to identify those persons.
Worley was first elected to the Senate in 1999 and he has been Democratic Floor Leader for eight years, all of the latter in the minority. Worley began his public service as an intern to the Richmond City Manager in 1978 and later at age 22 was named city manager for Richmond, serving in the job for 14 years.
Worley said he’s worked well with Republicans in the Senate including Senate President David Williams of Burkesville, sometimes being criticized by Democrats for doing so.
“But I’ve found you can work across party lines – and I’ve promoted a spirit of bi-partisanship – you can be effective,” he said. That shows, Worley continued, in his success in securing state appropriations for needed projects in his district, noting the district has received the second highest appropriations of any Senate district but Williams’ in the past two budget cycles.
He said he’s been able to work with Williams although they frequently disagree on issues – like expanded gambling at the tracks.
“But it’s been issue-oriented, not personality oriented,” he said. “And I’ve voted for Republican bills which were aligned with the views of my district.”
Already filed for the seat are Republicans Jared Carpenter of Berea and Kent J. Kessler of Richmond and Democratic Michael Cope of Richmond.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
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UPDATED BREAKING NEWS: Worley will not seek re-election to senate
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