LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A longtime state lawmaker is eyeing the seat on the Louisville Metro Council. State Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville, announced he will file candidacy paperwork to fill the seat begin vacated by Councilman Robin Engel, R-District 22, who is retiring at the end of his term.

“With [Engil’s] retirement, I plan to file candidacy papers next week to fill this Metro seat. Subsequently, I will not seek re-election for my current State Representative seat in the Kentucky Legislature,” Bratcher shared in a Facebook post. “I have enjoyed every minute of my long tenure representing Southern Jefferson County in Frankfort, but now I believe I can be more effective working on local issues needed to make my community of Fern Creek (and Louisville) a better place to live, work and raise a family.” 

He said he will focus on planning and zoning, fighting crime, improving local infrastructure and services as a council member.

Bratcher currently represents the 29th District, covering the southern Jefferson County from Fern Creek to the Bullitt County line. He was first elected to his post in 1997.

Engil announced he would retire in his District 22 update, but would serve out the remainder of his term in Dec. 2024. “After much prayerful consideration and discussions with my family over the past several weeks, I have decided that I will end my service on the Louisville Metro Council at the end of my term in December of 2024,” Engil said. “The opportunity to work on your behalf for the past 20 years as the District 22 Councilman has been the honor of a lifetime,” he told constituents.

The longtime councilman said he would continue to work for his district for the remainder of his term, including holding town hall meetings for a new Fern Creek Library, improvements to local parks and improvements to sidewalks and streets.

Bratcher is the second state lawmaker this week to announce a run for Louisville Metro Council. On Monday, State Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, announced she would run for the seat to represent District 10.