Following his victory Tuesday to become the Republican candidate for U.S. Representative in the 4th Congressional District in November, Thomas Massie is taking time off to be with his family.
“We have not had a family vacation since I took on the job of (Lewis County) judge-executive and it is something my family deserves after a campaign like we have been through,” he said.
Massie is looking forward to the upcoming campaign versus Democratic candidate William Adkins and is making plans to have time for an all-out campaign leading up to election day in November.
“I plan to resign as judge-executive before Aug. 6, which is 90 days before the general election,” Massie said. “That will also give me more time to pursue the election for congress.”
His plan would also give both parties time to place a candidate on the November ballot to replace him as judge-executive, Massie said.
Massie has several projects in the works in Lewis County that should be moving toward completion in the meantime.
“We have a $2 million project under way for Straight Fork. We are almost finished with the design,” he said.
Once design specs are in the project would require state funding which could have it started this fall, he said.
Several paving projects are on the list including a low water crossing project on Simmons Road which should get under way on July 1, Massie said.
Looking toward the fall election, and a possible victory, Massie reflected on the magnitude of a Lewis County person serving in Congress.
“It has been 100 years since someone from Lewis County represented Kentucky in Congress. It is kind of exciting from the Lewis County perspective, but I plan to also represent the entire district equally,” he said.
If he wins in November, Massie plans to maintain three satellite offices, preserving a base with full staff in northern Kentucky, due to the population density there and proximity to an airport, and maintain offices in the eastern and western areas of the district.
“A lot has to happen and I have a lot of decisions to make between now and then,” Massie said. “It is hard to see past a long election process and into the rest of my life.”
Following his vacation time, Massie plans to make public appearances and meet as many Kentuckians as possible. His staff will also be concentrating on fund-raising activities, he said.
“We are giving folks a break on the mailers and media ads for a few months,” he said.