Eight years ago, Wendell Lynch was drifting into the slow lane when he retired from financial services — hoping to get closer to friends and family within the area and relax.
Now, following three terms on the Hopkinsville City Council and as both an interim and elected Hopkinsville mayor, he’s eyeing the slow lane once again — announcing he will not be running for re-election in 2022.
Lynch laughed, and noted things didn’t quite go as planned in 2014 when he transitioned from business to local politics.
It isn’t that he didn’t enjoy it. But now, he says, it’s time for other things — including supporting others who wish to move into public service.
As Hopkinsville’s 27th mayor in city history, Lynch said his services as mayor were simply an extension of his years in business and public works, and that he never truly intended to maintain a long grip on the city’s mayoral seat.
Among the region’s industrial and economic growth, Lynch noted dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and its challenges will forever be an imprint on the memory of his terms — for better and for worse.
Dealing with multiple concerns and crises, while finding some semblance of success, came with challenges.
Lynch served as Hopkinsville’s interim mayor following the February 1, 2020 departure of Carter Hendricks, who stepped down after he accepted the position as Southwestern Kentucky EDC executive director.
Lynch then won a special-held election in November 2020 to fill the remainder of the mayoral term, after defeating J.R. Knight.
Three people have currently filed for Lynch’s seat — Knight and Vince Farrell in the Republican primary, and Michael Pendleton in the Democratic primary.
As a partisan race, those interest in running for Hopkinsville mayor have until January 7 to file.