Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark says he won’t seek re-election to the leadership position when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.
The Louisville Democrat has served as Speaker Pro Tem for more than two decades. He said in a press release the decision for his successor would best be made in Governor Steve Beshear’s final year instead of in the next governor’s term.
“My upcoming term is likely to be my last in the House. I have been thinking carefully over many months about transitioning out of public service, mainly over how to do that while serving the best interests of my constituents and my colleagues in the majority caucus.”
Clark will finish his term as southern Jefferson County’s representative, which he has held since 1984, but added that after that he would likely retire.
“All Leadership positions have a steep learning curve. When all of the other demands of the job are factored in, I think it would be preferable that a new Speaker Pro Tem be able to work this upcoming year with Governor Beshear to learn the ropes of dealing with the executive branch.”
