A Republican state senator from Western Kentucky has announced that he will not seek reelection.?

Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Fruit Hill, released a statement about his decision on social media Thursday morning, the last day of the current legislative session. He said he was “eager to spend more time with my family” after his term ends in 2024.?

Westerfield’s announcement comes 19 months ahead of the election for his seat. He’s currently one of 30 Republicans in the Kentucky Senate and is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.??

“Election Day is still 19 months away. Amanda and our children, now eight and five, have sacrificed greatly so that I can serve the people of my district, but they’ve sacrificed enough,” the state senator said. “It is with these thoughts in mind and my desire to remain closest to those I hold most dear that I have decided not to seek reelection as the Kentucky State Senator for District 3.”?

Of his record in the Senate, Westerfield said he was proud to work on legislation in areas such as pro-life policy, economic growth and criminal justice. He also highlighted that he sponsored Marsy’s Law, which was a constitutional amendment on crime victim rights that voters approved in 2020. The Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed a legal challenge to the amendment in 2022.??

After his term ends, Westerfield plans to continue working in public policy, particularly in criminal justice and behavioral health.?