Kilby will not seek re-election to senate
WARTBURG — State Senator Tommy Kilby is calling it quits after just one full term in office.
Kilby, the Democrat from Wartburg who replaced Lincoln Davis in the Senate in 2003, officially announced on Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2008, opting instead to concentrate on his business, his family and his spiritual life.
“There comes a time when we all need to re-access our priorities. That time has come for me,” Kilby said in a written statement. “While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in public service, I have come to realize that the most important things of life are often left unattended while we are caught up in the ‘political climate.’”
While he does not plan to seek re-election, Kilby said that he will serve the remainder of his term while “vigorously representing the people of the 12th Senatorial District.” He said he will be fully engaged in the remaining legislative sessions.
Kilby, 42, has been involved in politics since he was 18. Most of that time was spent in local politics before he went to the statehouse in 2003. Shortly after graduating from Oakdale High School, Kilby was elected as a county commissioner in Morgan County. He was county executive in Morgan County when he was elected in a special election in 2003 to replace Davis, who had been elected in the 2002 general election as U.S. Representative in the Fourth Congressional District in the wake of Van Hilleary’s retirement from the House to enter Tennessee’s gubernatorial race.
In that 2003 election, Kilby found himself in a bitter battle with Republican Mark Goins before emerging with a 248-point victory.
In a conservative district — the 12th Senatorial District consists of Scott, Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Roane and Rhea counties — Kilby emerged as in the southern style of blue dog Democrats; he is a member of the National Rifle Association, opposes abortion and gay marriage, and supports gun rights. In the run-up to the 2004 presidential primaries, Kilby called on Tennessee’s Democratic leadership to oppose the candidacy of Vermont Governor Howard Dean, saying “We must open our party and allow people who are pro-life, pro-gun and pro-traditional marriage to have an active role in developing our platform and message.” Kilby’s political stances earned him favor among both Democrats and Republicans, and in 2004, he easily defeated Republican challenger Jerry Sharp, winning re-election by 6,000 votes.
Kilby, who has stated that he is confident he would win re-election again in 2008, has endorsed Dennis Ferguson, a state representative from Roane County, to replace him in the Senate.
In the meantime, Kilby said he has no plans to return to the state senate in the future, but did not rule out a run for another political office. “I intend to continue to be involved in the current events of the day,” Kilby said.
“I am very concerned about the dangerous situations our nation is facing such as national security, budgetary responsibility and providing the economic climate which will help working men and women. Therefore, if the opportunity arises I may be involved in the candidacy of the person I believe can provide the moral and experienced leadership we need as a nation. There are elections in 2008 and beyond on both the local and state level that I might be interested in pursuing, but state senate isn’t one of them. “As for now,” he added, “I ‘will wait on the Lord and renew my strength.’ But when it is all said and done, I would rather be in his will and be content with the state I am in, than not be in his will and hold any office in the land.”
Kilby and his wife, Rachel, were married earlier this year. Her two sons from a previous marriage live with the couple, and Kilby has a 23-year-old daughter. He said that his family was a factor in making a decision that “has been in the making” for some time. “I intend to expand my real estate business, spend time with my wife, daughter and stepsons and rejuvenate and cultivate my spiritual life,” he said.