Time now to review some major political developments in Kentucky this week with a dynamic pair that we always have on Friday.

On screen left, we have Will Carley, who is a Democratic strategist and consultant and president of Open Strategies.

And on screen, right, we have Trey Watson, who is a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, and he's the founder of Capital Rains PR, still a Republican strategist.

Good to see you both.

Great to be on.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving and a good holiday where first day of December.

So it's on.

But let's talk about some news this week.

More state lawmakers are deciding that maybe they want to head home and even do some work back home.

And I'm going to start with you, Trey Watson, Kevin Bratcher, who's been in the General Assembly for quite a while.

Seven?

Yes.

He's deciding he wants to do something else.

And what is that, something else?

And why is he leaving?

He's running for Metro Council.

Robin Angle, Long, longtime metro councilman in Louisville, is retiring.

He's going to run for that seat.

You know, I have Representative Bradshaw's efforts in general.

Something have been geared towards Louisville, especially the South local area firm Creek, where he's from.

And, you know, I think he's he's looking forward to going back in and working on some of the issues, kind of taking some of what he's done in Frankfort and really applying it in the Metro to the Metro Council and to Jefferson County.

I think it's interesting, you know, you mentioned San Raymond as well, and I wonder if maybe the I know the Metro Council pays a little more.

It's more of a full time job.

And I wonder if the the wear and tear on legislators is going to lead us towards hadn't have a conversation about full time legislature but that's I think that's a conversation we can have another time but it's it's it's interesting to see people moving from the legislature for council.

To the city council because many people think that's going backwards, not forwards.

But it depends on your perspective.

And I want to go to you will Kali to ask about State Representative Jose Raymond, a Democrat in Louisville, who is also saying this is her last term.

She'll be in the session for the 24th session, but then she's going to hang it up and head back home.

And she, too, is running for Louisville Metro Council.

So what's the appeal for her that you've heard?

Well, first of all, Josie Raymond, representing Raymond, is a powerhouse and a star in our party.

I know the caucus hates to lose her to the Metro Council, but we're really, really looking forward to her working with those folks down there to continue to move Louisville forward.

Louisville continues to be a progressive beacon and a place where we're making great legislation and great laws to further promote economic prosperity, civil rights, being able to be an inclusive community and a growing community across Kentucky.

And I think that's appealing for someone coming from a legislature that really doesn't work that way to be a part of a group that does.

So we're excited to have Representative Raymond running for Metro Council.

I feel strongly she's going to win.

And actually when I talk about Tracy, I think real quick, which was I think it is time for a full time legislature, we're asking a lot of people to do a lot of work, put in a lot of effort for very little money with dedicated full time staff for each representative.

And that, I think, hurts constituent services.

So I really would hope that, you know, both parties would say that it's probably time that we professionalize the legislature.

And we'll say, just as a side note, that they are pretty robust in their schedule all year round.

The interim coverage that starts in earnest in June goes all the way through December without much break.

And those can be pretty intense meetings and good background for people who are either new or just need a refresher.

But also to add another point about Representative Raymond, there's a couple of names that are being tossed around.

Tell us about that.

Well, so I know Mary Lou, former Representative Mary Lou Marcion has also filed to run again for her old seat, which she was redistricted out of.

Then they joined Representative Raymond in her back during redistricting.

And I've also heard rumors that a former Miss Kentucky Miss USA, Heather French Henry, is also interested in running for that seat.

It ought to be an interesting matchup.

Sounds like there's going to be a host of really good candidates running, and I look forward to, you know, being supportive of whoever the nominee will be and whoever comes out of that primary.

Republican Party of Kentucky is having some change in leadership.

We learned this week that Mack Brown is stepping down.

Trey Watson has significant to this and who could be his replacement?

You know, I think Mack and next, someone I love.

I worked for him for three and a half years at the pleasure to be kind of his his mouthpiece did a great job guiding the party a very steady hand when there's a lot of different factions in the party.

And Mack was able to navigate that and hold everything together.

You know, I think it's significant, but at the same time, the bench is so big and so robust.

I think we're we're at a point of the parties kind of shifting eras.

So I think Mack is getting out it a good time for him and a good time to let the party figure out what step is next for itself, though the couple of names I'm hearing as potential candidates for chair are former state Representative Robert Benvenuti and long time longtime executive committee member Bob Hutchison.

His remarks Kentucky's a businessman.

It'll be it'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

I would tend to believe Hutchison's probably got a leg up because he's been on the executive committee and he's kind of got that profile of what they what a chairman typically is.

But I think there'll be a robust discussion and then we'll see who comes out at the with the votes.

Yeah.

When will that be decided?

I think it'll be in December.

I haven't seen the date, but it will be at the next state State Central Executive Committee meeting which is, which are quarterly.

Yeah.

So we'll be watching for that.

And we thank you guys for always keeping your eyes on the political ball here in Kentucky.

Well, Carly and Terry Watson, it's always good to see you.

Good to be on.