KY House Dems leadership change: Gentry out, Lexington lawmaker moves up
Lexington Rep. Lindsey Burke has a new title.
Burke, an attorney and former social worker, has stepped into the No. 2 spot among House Democrats, caucus chair, following the departure of Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, from leadership, the caucus announced in a release Thursday afternoon.
Gentry, a geologist by trade who lost one of his arms in a workplace accident, said in the release that he is stepping down from his leadership post to pursue a new role in Adaptive Golf, which allows people with disabilities to more easily access the game of golf.
He will be “a senior advisor to a national leadership team preparing for a major new initiative in Adaptive Golf,” per the release.
“I’m not at liberty to share specifics of this initiative, for proprietary reasons, but I can say that if launched successfully it will be the first of its kind. It will tremendously improve access and affordability for golfers with disabilities to participate in competitive adaptive golf events across the nation,” Gentry said in the release.
As a legislator, Gentry is perhaps best known for being the leading House Democrat advocating for legal medicinal marijuana, speaking often about the benefits it could provide to disabled Kentuckians dealing with pain. The substance was legalized in a limited capacity in a 2023 Senate bill.
Gentry gave assurances in the release that he will remain committed to his southern Jefferson County-based House District 46, which he has served since 2017.
“This new opportunity is a short-term, part-time position that will not affect my continued work in the Kentucky General Assembly, which I’m honored and proud to continue,” Gentry said. “It will, however, impact my time set aside for duties as Caucus Chairman. For that reason, out of respect for my colleagues and party, I felt it was necessary to step aside at year’s end to allow my successor plenty of time to transition properly.
Burke represents the Lexington-based House District 75, which covers part of downtown and areas to the west inside of New Circle Road. She has been serving the district since 2023.
“I look forward to helping to grow the ranks of the House Democrats, so we can better serve families. I am honored to have the trust and support of my caucus and voters in the 75th district,” Burke wrote.
The move marks the latest of many shakeups in House Democratic leadership in recent years.
After the 2022 election cycle, only one of the three members of leadership remained. After 2024, all three were replaced due to retirement or election loss.
Their numbers are also at a historic low. Only 19 are in the caucus, as the 20th Democrat, Rep. Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, was expelled following Herald-Leader reporting and complaints about his behavior toward women.
In a 100-member body, the Democrats’ small numbers have shunned them to functional irrelevance in the legislative process. They often get little say on the high-priority bills the dominant 80-member GOP caucus has passed in recent years.
Gentry’s departure leaves Burke and House Minority Floor Leader Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, as the two remaining leaders. According to the release, the role of whip will be selected Friday, Nov. 14. Stevenson is one of many Democrats running for the nomination to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2026.
