Rep. David Hale, R-Wellington, listens to Democrats speak against House Bill 495 in the final hours of Friday. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)
A Kentucky Republican who chairs the House State Government Committee will not seek reelection after his term ends next year.
Republican state Rep. David Hale, of Wellington, has announced he plans to retire from the General Assembly. First elected to the House in 2014, Hale has represented the 74th House District for more than a decade. The district includes Bath, Menifee and Montgomery counties.
He will serve the remainder of his term, which ends in 2026.
In a press release, Hale said the experience has “truly been a privilege” and that he is “grateful for the trust” of voters who elected him. He added that he is “looking forward to” the next chapter.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done for hardworking Kentuckians – including passing responsible budgets that put the state’s needs first, lowering the income tax by almost half, and protecting our children,” Hale said.
In addition to being the chair of the House State Government Committee, Hale is a member of the Transportation and Agriculture Committees, as well as the Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement and Finance.
Republican House Speaker David Osborne said Hale “embodies the kind of integrity, leadership, and wisdom that every public servant should aspire to” in the press release.
“His quiet strength and unwavering commitment to his constituents have left a lasting mark on this institution and on the Commonwealth,” Osborne said. “We will miss his voice in the chamber, but his legacy will continue to guide us.”
Before joining the General Assembly, Hale retired from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife where he worked at a fish hatchery. He is a pastor and director of Horizons of Hope, a nonprofit organization focused on community outreach and support.
Hale’s future departure will not endanger Kentucky Republicans’ supermajority in the House. Currently, the GOP has 80 seats to Democrats’ 20.
