LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Republican Robin Engel, a founding member of the Louisville Metro Council, announced Thursday that he won't seek reelection next year.
Within hours of an email disclosing his plans, state GOP Rep. Kevin Bratcher told WDRB News that he won't run again for the Kentucky House of Representatives and plans to file paperwork next week to run for Engel's seat, which includes the Fern Creek area.
Engel, 61, is one of six remaining Metro Council members who has served since the newly formed 26-seat legislative body was established in 2003. He said in an interview that the time was right to step aside.
"It's been a great run," Engel said. "I just have had an incredible experience downtown."
He listed several top accomplishments in office, including planning for a new library in Fern Creek and millions of dollars invested in the Charlie Vettiner and Fern Creek parks, which has added pickleball courts. Outside the 22nd District, Engel said lobbying for the KFC Yum! Center project in the mid-2000s was a highlight of his council career.
He said he's not ruling out another public sector position in the future but that there's nothing "on the horizon."
He told constituents in an email that he will plans to finish strong in the year ahead.
"This final year, I promise to run through the finish-line and make sure that my successor is ready to continue the important work we have taken on together," he wrote.
Rep. Kevin D. Bratcher, R-Louisville, presents House Bill 3, a bill geared toward juvenile justice reform before the House Judiciary Committee at the state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. on Feb. 15, 2023. Image courtesy LRC Public Information.
Bratcher, who has served in the state House since 1997, said in a message that he has enjoyed his time in Frankfort, "but now I believe I can be more effective working on local issues needed to make my community of Fern Creek (and Louisville) a better place to live, work and raise a family.
"Issues such as planning and zoning, fighting crime, improving local infrastructure and services will be my sole focus as I ask my Fern Creek neighbors to allow me to serve them in this new capacity," he said."
Council member Pat Mulvihill (D-10) announced this month that he won't run for another term next year. State Rep. Josie Raymond, a Democrat, said earlier this week that she plans to run for that seat and won't seek reelection to the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives.
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
