State Senator C.B. Embry formally submits resignation due to illness

Ahead of his official retirement at the end of his term ending this year, Kentucky state Senator C.B. Embry formally submitted his resignation Monday due to a long battle with cancer.

Embry was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002, where he served until he was elected to the state Senate in 2014. He has also served in five different public offices, including being elected mayor in 1973 and county judge executive in 1982.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the good of the people of District 6,” Embry said in his resignation letter. “During my time in the Senate, I can truly say that I and my colleagues worked each day to make Kentucky an even greater state. I will miss my colleagues and staff in the Kentucky Senate, and will cherish the long-lasting friendships.” 

Legislative leaders released statements Monday following the news commending Embry’s public service.

“C.B. Embry is the epitome of a committed public servant who traveled back and forth to Frankfort, scheduling his treatments around our floor and committee activity,” Senate President Robert Stivers said.  “He remained faithful to the office he was elected to and exercised the duties in which he dedicated his life. It has been an honor to serve in the Senate with such a dedicated person.”

“While I am saddened to learn that Senator Embry has resigned, I respect his decision as I respect him for his lifelong commitment to bettering our Commonwealth. It was an honor to serve with him in the House and a privilege to work with him after he was elected to the Senate. C.B. is the very definition of a servant leader, guided by his faith to be an indomitable advocate for the people of his district. That same faith has made him an inspiration as his commitment to family and service has not waivered during this long and arduous battle with cancer. I wish he and Wanda the very best and the comfort of knowing that they are both leaving here after a job well done,” House Speaker David Osborne said Monday.

As a result of redistricting in 2022, Senator Embry’s District 6 was relocated to the north central portion of the state. Republican Lindsey Tichenor garnered the most votes for the new District 6 seat in the May primary. A write-in candidate recently declared his intent to run against her in November’s general election. 

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