Six current members of the Kentucky Senate are retiring from the General Assembly. Senate President Robert Stivers said that is the largest loss in a long time. Retirement resolutions create an opportunity for reflecting on non-political relationships. That happened during this session. Madison County GOP Senator Jared Carpenter said off-the-floor interaction enhances friendships beyond politics.
“With the members we got retiring, I think that’s what we’re losing. We’re losing a lot of folks that really brought streets smarts and an understanding of what is right, not just what is politically right for them, but what is right for everybody in our communities,” said Carpenter.
Often the floor comments pertain to relationships off the floor. Stivers was asked if more talk of friendship and less talk of politics would be beneficial.
“I think we’re all very much accessible and collegial in and out of the chamber. It’s just there are things that we believe in. I think we do a whole lot. But, there will be certain things we just won’t agree on. And that’s just the process. But I think we’ve done very well over the last few years and looking at getting things done,” said Stivers.
Retiring from the 38-member Senate are Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington, Wil Schroder of Wilder, C.B. Embry of Morgantown, Matt Castlen of Owensboro, Paul Hornback of Shelbyville, and Dennis Parrett of Elizabethtown. That’s five republicans and one democrat.
