'Pretty disappointed in my Republican Party': Longtime legislator Dan Seum retiring

Joe Sonka | Courier Journal

Republican state Sen. Dan Seum of Louisville sent a letter to Gov. Matt Bevin on Thursday announcing that he will retire from his seat effective Nov. 16, ending his 35-year career in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Seum told The Courier Journal in an interview that he partly made the decision because he is 80 years old and thought it was time, but added, "I'm pretty disappointed in my Republican Party and I'm really disappointed in Bevin, obviously."

The South Louisville legislator made headlines in August when he broke ranks with his party and endorsed Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear in his race for governor against Bevin.

In a video announcing that endorsement, Seum cited disparaging comments Bevin had made about public school teachers, noting he had four teachers in his family. He also said he and other advocates felt personally insulted by the governor calling his effort to legalize marijuana "delusional."

The following month, Seum hosted a picnic on his property, inviting all those who felt "bullied by Bevin."

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Spokespersons for Bevin and Republican Senate President Robert Stivers did not immediately return emails and voicemails requesting comment on Seum's retirement.

Asked if his decision to retire had anything to do with how his Republican Senate colleagues reacted to his Beshear endorsement, Seum said he's received "absolutely no communication from any of them, one way or the other."

"I took that to mean that they don't like Bevin either, but they didn't like what I did, too," Seum said.

Seum served as a Democrat in the state House from 1982 to 1988, before moving to the state Senate in 1989. After two years out of office, Seum was elected to the Senate again in 1994, where he has served ever since.

In 1999, Seum famously switched to the Republican Party, giving the GOP majority control of the chamber.

Seum said he could not understand the "constant stabbing each other in the back and the disrespect" shown by Bevin and other Republicans in recent years — adding that "not one Republican elected woman stood up for" Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton when the administration fired her staff over her objections.

Related: Gov. Bevin's office had authority to fire Lt. Gov. Hampton's staff, judge rules

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Looking back on his career, Seum said he was "most proud of the fact that no one has ever questioned my integrity. I have no contracts with the city, county or state ... I have not taken anything from this in 40 years.

"I leave with my integrity intact, which is something the governor cannot do," Seum said.

Seum said the biggest regret of his career was that the state legislature has not legalized marijuana, adding "it will eventually get done ... we'll just be last."

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com or 502-582-4472 and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courierjournal.com/subscribe.