Warren County lawmaker Jody Richards announced Monday he will not run for re-election after more than 40 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Jody Richards is the third veteran Democrat giving up his seat in a chamber now run by Republicans.
Richards began representing Warren County in the state House in 1976. He served a House Speaker for 14 years—the longest anyone has ever held that position.
As the District 20 representative, Richards has been particularly recognized for his support of education initiatives. He played an important role in shaping Kentucky’s sweeping education reforms in 1990. And last year, Western Kentucky University Mass Media and Technology Hall was renamed Jody Richards Hall.
Other Democrats who recently announced they’re not running for re-election are representatives Jim Wayne and Steve Riggs of Louisville.
Bowling Green resident Ben Lawson has announced that he plans to run for the 20th District seat. Lawson is active with the Republican Party in Warren County.
