Luke Kenley’s decision to retire from the State Senate is a real loss for Hamilton County and the entire state. I respect his decision to leave state service after a quarter century, but his departure from the Statehouse will be felt in sensible decision-making on all things financial.
As head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Luke always tried to make certain Indiana had a fair and adequate budget. He made sure he knew where state funds were going and where they were going to be coming from. His positions were not always popular with everyone, but they were always realistic and farsighted.
Many were the times that Luke would have lunch with a local group in Noblesville and explain how certain functions of state government were working and how they could be improved. He was not shy about sharing his opinions on what individuals or groups helping were fostering his position and which were working against him.
Luke leaves big shoes to fill, and it will take time for his successor to grow into them.That successor will be chosen in a caucus of Republican precinct committeemen and women in Senate District 20 later this summer. The district includes all the precincts in Noblesville, Washington and Wayne Townships plus some in Clay and Delaware Townships.
Kenley has said he is encouraging Megan Wiles to be a candidate in the caucus. Ms. Wiles is executive director of the Riverview Health Foundation and formerly with Legacy Fund. A current member of the Noblesville City Council, she is a lifelong local resident, graduating from Noblesville High School and Ball State University.
Scott Willis, Westfield, who was defeated by Kenley in last year’s primary election, had given some indications he might try again for the Senate seat. A military veteran, he operates a small business in the Carmel area.
What does the future hold for Kenley? While the Kenley name is Noblesville through-and-through, many folks don’t know that Luke was born in Texas. He has relatives from his mother’s family in west Texas and actually owns a ranch there. So, instead of going to the Senate each January, one might expect Luke to be spending more time at the ranch. But, I suspect Noblesville will always be home.
In the meantime, congratulations to our good state senator are in order for a job well done.