FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) -- The political shakeup continues in Frankfort, as more longtime Kentucky lawmakers announce retirements.

Thursday, State Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington) announced the 2024 session would be her last. Palumbo is not seeking reelection, along with fellow House Democrats Rachel Roberts, Derrick Graham and Josie Raymond.

Rep. Keturah Herron (D-Louisville) will leave the House as well to run for a state Senate seat being vacated by Denise Harper Angel (D-Louisville.) Harper Angel is not seeking reelection to the Senate, which she joined in 2005.

Harper Angel ascended into office just two years after another longtime Senator who is retiring, Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown).

“I think you're seeing a tremendous amount of turnover in the legislature,” Tres Watson, a GOP strategist, said.

Watson is the former spokesperson for the state Republican Party and hosts the “Kentucky Politics Weekly“ podcast. He told WDRB News that Frankfort is more tense now than in years past.

"There's a lot of feeling that the atmosphere is different. It's harder to disagree agreeably, I think,” Watson said. "I think it’s just the atmosphere, especially as we roll into 2024 with the potential of the rematch that no one, no one asked for on the horizon between Trump and Biden.”

This past session saw massive protests among supporters of the LGBTQ community over Senate Bill 150. The controversial bill included the ban of gender transition surgeries for those under 18.

The bill was fiercely fought by Democrats and vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear. But that was easily overridden by the Republican supermajority.

Robert Kahne, a statistician and veteran of Democratic campaigns, said the outcome of SB 150 was a big setback.

“The way that that whole thing went down, I think, was a real good sense that there's just not a lot of room for anybody to maneuver unless he will come from a very specific ideology,” Kahne said.

Kahne, co-host of “My Old Kentucky Podcast,” described the environment as disheartening for the longtime lawmakers who served in the past when Democrats held a majority in the House, and also for relative newcomers such as Raymond and Roberts.

"Both of those people are very passionate,” Kahne said. “They got into this work because they wanted to do stuff and they just really haven't been able to.”

Tension could be a factor, but so is time.

“I think you're also seeing some younger members from farther parts of the state leaving because they're just not seeing the value of making that long drive from places like Henderson or Pikeville,” Watson said. “They're leaving their families behind and kind of having to slog through this mess.”

“It's such a sacrifice,” said Kahne.

Now, Raymond is running for Louisville Metro Council, a legislative body that has also seen many recent changes.

Rep. Kevin Bratcher (R-Louisville) is also stepping down to run for a Metro Council seat. Watson said Bratcher's move was surprising at first, but he explained that a move to Louisville’s council would mean having a dedicated staffer, higher pay and a shorter commute.

Dr. Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky, said moves to Metro Council from Frankfort are rare.

“The fact somebody would rather work in a city council or in a local government office rather than a state legislature sort of makes you wonder if the atmosphere in the legislature hasn't become a little poisonous,” Voss said.

While that may be one factor, Voss said retirements are common after a round of redistricting, a process that was fully controlled by Republicans.

“Legislators used to represent one set of people. It's been changed over and now they're going to build relationships with a whole new set of communities and business owners,” Voss said.

Watson, Kahne, and Voss don’t expect the shakeup to really change the political makeup. Voss said gerrymandering has decreased the number of competitive seats across the state. He does believe the governor’s victory will also contribute to some decisions about seeking reelection or retirement, even though the GOP controls a veto-proof majority in the House and Senate.

“Governors are more powerful than people give them credit for. Part of the problem is, in most people's minds, what legislators do is pass laws. But that's not the whole job. And some of the job of government is done by the executive branch,” Voss said. “The governor is in session all year round. The governor is getting people into jobs. The governor is making policy decisions. Having connections to the Governor as can be a benefit. Lacking connections to the governor can be a real impediment for a legislator when they're out of session.”

The filing deadline for candidates to run in the 2024 primary is Friday, Jan. 5. The next legislative session begins on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

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