House Whip Chad McCoy Withdraws from May Primary, Announces Retirement

House Majority Whip Rep. Chad McCoy, of Bardstown, will retire at the end of his term, he announced following the closure of the 2022 regular legislative session.

McCoy was first elected in 2016 to the 50th House District, which includes all of Nelson County.

“It’s an incredible privilege to serve Bardstown and Nelson County in the House and I’m grateful to this community for placing their trust in me,” McCoy said. “I’ve said all along that I have no intention to become a career politician and the time has come to move on to the next chapter.”

Nelson County Republican Chairman Trey Bradley filed for McCoy’s seat earlier this year when the incumbent representative was slow to file. Bradley decided to stay in the race after McCoy filed for re-election. U.S. Air Force veteran Candy Hawks-Massaroni is also seeking the 50th District House seat, she has run to the right of McCoy calling him out of touch with the average conservative of Nelson County.

A number of groups have recognized McCoy for his work. Awards include the Kentucky Distiller’s Association 100 Proof Award, the Kentucky Motorcycle Association’s Legislator of the Year, and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s MVP of the Year. Locally, the Cox’s Creek Daughters of the American Revolution honored him for his work in upholding the United States Constitution.

“You can’t exaggerate the role Chad has played in crafting the policies that play a significant role in our ability to pass legislation like a tax modernization package that will soon allow Kentuckians to keep more of their hard earned money by eliminating the income tax,” House Speaker David Osborne added. “While I am saddened by his decision to retire, I wish him the very best.”

McCoy will serve out his current term which ends on December 31, 2022.