After more than two decades of dedicated public service, State Representative Ken Upchurch today announced his decision to retire from the Kentucky House of Representatives, effective when his current term ends in December of 2026. As chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation, Upchurch has played a central role in the Commonwealth’s transportation budgeting and infrastructure planning throughout his tenure.
Upchurch serves the 52nd District, which encompasses McCreary and Wayne counties and portions of Pulaski County. He first served in the House from 1999 to 2010 and returned in 2013. During his legislative career, he has been a tireless advocate for responsible infrastructure investment and a steward of taxpayer resources.
“As I reflect on my years in the House, I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve our region and the people of Kentucky,” said Upchurch. “It is a privilege to represent McCreary, Wayne, and Pulaski counties and I have worked from day one to put the best interest of our people first. However, the time has come to retire. Leaving is never easy, but part of public service is recognizing when it’s time to step aside and allow new voices to lead. As a husband, father, and grandfather, I appreciate the sacrifices my family has made to allow me to serve, but the time has come for me to focus my attention on them. Our son is in his final years of high school, and our daughter has given us two beautiful grandchildren. Melissa and I are ready for this new chapter in our life.”
As chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation, Upchurch steered funding decisions that strengthen roads, bridges, ports, airports, and other infrastructure systems. Upchurch has been recognized by transportation advocates for his efforts to remove politics from the budget process and prioritize areas of the state that are often overlooked.
“I’m so incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished and I’m equally confident that the legislature will continue to build on the work we’ve done to connect communities and fuel economic opportunity across the state,” Upchurch added.
Upchurch also serves on the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee and the House Transportation Committee, contributing to the careful balancing of infrastructure needs against fiscal constraints.
“Ken Upchurch’s steady leadership on transportation budgeting has left a lasting mark on Kentucky’s infrastructure landscape,” said Speaker David Osborne. “His commitment to our transportation system, stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and commonsense decision-making will be deeply missed by his colleagues and communities alike.”
Upchurch will continue serving through the remainder of his term, which ends on December 31, 2026. He will join colleagues in convening the 2026 Regular Session on January 6 and is currently busy preparing for the next road budget.
“While I won’t be running for another term, my focus now is ensuring that the work we’ve done continues smoothly, and that my district and our state are well positioned for the challenges ahead,” Upchurch said. “I’m grateful to the people of the 52nd District for their trust over the years, and I remain optimistic about the bright days ahead for Kentucky.”