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Max Wise
2015 - Present
2027
10
Max Wise (Republican Party) is a member of the Kentucky State Senate, representing District 16. He assumed office on January 1, 2015. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Wise (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Kentucky State Senate to represent District 16. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Senate Republicans elected Wise majority leader of the Kentucky State Senate in November 2024.[1]
Wise was born and raised in Campbellsville, Kentucky.[2] He earned bachelor's degrees in political science and history from Campbellsville University in 1997 and a master's in international politics and national security from the University of Kentucky in 1999.[3] Wise received a certificate in homeland security from Texas A&M in 2008.[3]
Before entering politics, Wise worked as an intelligence analyst for the FBI from 2003 to 2008.[3][4] Beginning in 2007, Wise began teaching courses as an assistant professor on American government and international relations at Campbellsville University. In 2011, Wise joined the University of Kentucky's Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, where he taught graduate courses on intelligence and national security.[3][5] Wise was still teaching at the University of Kentucky at the time he was elected Senate Majority Leader.[3]
Wise entered politics in 2014, running for District 16 in the Kentucky State Senate against incumbent Sara Beth Gregory (R). Wise defeated Gregory in the primary 54-46%.[6] Wise was unopposed in the general. Wise said, "The recent legislative redistricting opened up a possibility for me here. And I was able to win because of extremely hard work by myself, my family and a team of supporters."[6] Wise was re-elected in 2018 and 2022, both times facing no opposition in either the primaries or general elections.
In 2023, Wise sponsored SB 150, which prohibited healthcare providers from prescribing cross-sex hormones or medications that prevent or delay puberty to minors. The bill also directed K-12 school districts to create policies banning transgender students from using locker rooms inconsistent with their biological sex.[7] SB 150 became law after the Kentucky General Assembly voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's (D) veto.[8] Wise said, "This bill, which passed the Senate with bipartisan support, reinforces a positive atmosphere in the classroom and removes unnecessary distractions, like woke ideology and mandating use of specific pronouns in our schools."[9]
Following the November 2024 general elections, in which Republicans maintained a veto-proof majority in both chambers, Senate Republican elected Wise majority leader.[1] Wise replaced Damon Thayer (R), who was first elected majority leader in 2013.[10] Wise said the legislature would focus on artificial intelligence, lowering the state income tax, alleviating the housing shortage, and curbing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in schools.[11][12][13][14]
Biography
Max Wise was born in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Wise graduated from Campbellsville High School in 1993. He earned a bachelor's degree from Campbellsville University, attended the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky in 1999, and received an advanced certificate from Texas A&M University. Wise’s career experience includes working as a professor with Campbellsville University and the University of Kentucky. He has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the KHIPP board, and the Taylor County Tourist Commission.[15]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Wise was assigned to the following committees:
- Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee, Chair
- Senate Education Committee
- Committee on Families and Children
- Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Economic Development & Workforce Investment Committee, Co-Chair
- Education Committee
- Health and Family Services Committee
- Small Business & Information Technology Committee, Co-Chair
2021-2022
Wise was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Agriculture Committee
- Senate Education Committee, Chair
- Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee
2019-2020
Wise was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Senate Education Committee, Chair
- Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee
- Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Kentucky committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Appropriations and Revenue |
| • Economic Development, Tourism and Labor |
| • Education, Vice chair |
| • Enrollment, Chair |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Wise served on the following committees:
| Kentucky committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations and Revenue |
| • Economic Development, Tourism and Labor |
| • Education, Y |
| • Enrollment, Y |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection |
| • Appropriations and Revenue |
| • Economic Development and Tourism |
| • Education |
| • Health and Welfare |
| • Labor and Industry |
| • Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Noteworthy legislation
Below is a list of noteworthy legislation sponsored by this individual, including legislation that received substantial media attention, was part of a national trend or debate, or may be considered a noteworthy part of the individual's career.
- SB 150 (2023): In 2023, Wise sponsored SB 150, which prohibited healthcare providers from prescribing cross-sex hormones or medications that prevent or delay puberty to minors. The bill also directed K-12 school districts to create policies banning transgender students from using locker rooms inconsistent with their biological sex.[7]
Elections
2022
See also: Kentucky State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Kentucky State Senate District 16
Incumbent Max Wise won election in the general election for Kentucky State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Max Wise (R) | 100.0 | 31,887 |
| Total votes: 31,887 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Justy Engle (D)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Justy Engle advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky State Senate District 16.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Max Wise advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky State Senate District 16.
2018
- See also: Kentucky State Senate elections, 2018
Nicole Britton ran as a write-in candidate.
General election
General election for Kentucky State Senate District 16
Incumbent Max Wise won election in the general election for Kentucky State Senate District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Max Wise (R) | 96.7 | 33,447 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.3 | 1,125 | ||
| Total votes: 34,572 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kentucky State Senate District 16
Incumbent Max Wise advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky State Senate District 16 on May 22, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Max Wise |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2014
- See also: Kentucky State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014. George Maxwell "Max" Wise defeated incumbent Sara Beth Gregory in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[16][17][18]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
 Max Wise |
54.4% | 14,037 |
| Sara Beth Gregory | 45.6% | 11,743 |
| Total Votes | 25,780 | |
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Max Wise did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Kentucky scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 2 to April 15.
|
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 3 to March 30.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 4 to April 14.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 5 to March 30.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Kentucky State Legislature was in session from January 7 to April 15.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 8 through March 29.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 2 through April 14.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 3 through March 30.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 5 through April 15.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Kentucky General Assembly was in session from January 6 through March 23.
|
Noteworthy events
On July 20, 2020, Wise announced that he tested positive for coronavirus.[19]
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder Kentucky State Senate District 16 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kentucky Lantern, "Wise and Mills gain Senate GOP roles in Republican caucus elections," November 15, 2024
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Legislator-Profile," accessed February 27, 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 LinkedIn, "Max Wise," accessed February 27, 2025
- ↑ Facebook, "State Senator Max Wise," September 11, 2020
- ↑ University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, "Senator Max Wise," accessed February 27, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Courier Journal, "Two state incumbents fall in primary," May 21, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Senate Bill 150, "Chapter 132: An Act relating to children," accessed February 27, 2025
- ↑ Kentucky Lantern, "Kentucky legislature overrides veto of anti-trans bill," March 29, 2023
- ↑ Kentucky Senate Republicans, "Senator Max Wise Admonishes Governor Beshear’s Veto of SB 150 Beshear Puts Party over Kentuckians’ Wish to Eliminate Woke Ideologies in Our Children’s Schools," March 24, 2023
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "State Sen. Damon Thayer reflects on his 2 decade-plus career," December 13, 2024
- ↑ The Bottom Line News, "Senate Majority Leader Max Wise discusses pro-growth priorities ahead of 2025 legislative session," February 27, 2025
- ↑ Spectrum News 1, "In Focus: Senate Majority Floor Leader Max Wise talks 2025 legislative priorities," February 18, 2025
- ↑ Morehead State Public Radio, "Governor Andy Beshear signs House Bill 1, lowering individual income taxes in 2026," February 27, 2025
- ↑ Lexington Herald Leader, "Incoming KY legislative leader says GOP to revive anti-DEI efforts in 2025 session," December 5, 2024
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Senator Max Wise (R)," accessed March 10, 2020
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Election: 2014 General Election," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary Election Results," accessed October 29, 2014
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Official 2014 General Election Results," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Courier Journal, "Kentucky state senator released from quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus," July 20, 2020
