Max Wise

George Maxwell Wise, known as Max Wise (born 1975), is a college professor from his native Campbellsville, Kentucky, who is the Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate for District 16, which encompasses Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne counties in south central Kentucky.

Background

Wise was an analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2003 to 2007 in Washington, D.C. and Louisville, Kentucky. He was an assistant professor of Political Science and International Studies at his alma mater, Campbellsville University in Campbellsville in Taylor County from 2000 to 2003 and since 2007.^[2] He has also taught at the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He is a past board member and chairman of the Kentucky Christian Academy in Campbellsville. He is a former chairman of the Taylor County Tourist Commission.^[3]

Wise's father, George O. Wise (born 1951), is the former human resources manager at the former Fruit of the Loom plant in Campbellsville, who is since employed at Campbellsville Apparel Company.^[3] His mother, Donna L. Wise (born 1950), is the former women's basketball coach (1975-2007) at Campbellsville University (formerly Campbellsville College) and the current chairman of the CU Department of Human Performance.^[4]

Wise's wife, Dr. Heather Marie Hood Wise (born 1978), a native of Glasgow, Kentucky and a Campbellsville University graduate, operates Wise Dentistry for Kids in Campbellsville. The couple has two sons, Jackson and Carter and two daughters, Grayson and McLean.^[3][5][6] They are active in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Campbellsville.^[1]

Political life

In his campaign, Wise questioned why his opponent, Sara Beth Gregory, made a sudden successful run for the state Senate after having served in the Kentucky House of Representatives for only two years. There were few policy differences between the candidates. Both opposed abortion, an increase in the minimum wage, same-sex marriage, gun control, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.^[7]

The Gregory-Wise primary highlighted regional geographic differences within the district, which was heavily revised through redistricting in 2013; two counties were removed and three others were added to the seven-county district, including Taylor County in which Wise won 89 percent of the vote.^[8] Wise describes himself as "not a cookie-cutter politician" but one who brings "a unique opportunity for the citizens of the 16th district to have a voice in Frankfort that will help change the status quo."^[9]

Wise remained neutral in the U.S. Senate primary between incumbent Mitch McConnell, whom Gregory endorsed, and Tea Party challenger Matt Bevin,^[4][5] who failed to deny McConnell re-nomination. Wise's wife and his mother contributed to Senator McConnell in the 2008 election. His parents also donated to the Republican National Committee.^[10]

In the primary, Wise defeated Gregory, 54.5 to 45.5 percent.^[11] He became a senator-elect because no Democrat was contesting the seat in the general election held on November 4, 2014.^[8]

After his victory, Wise said that he will vote to permit Kentucky voters to decide the fate of casino gambling through a state constitutional amendment election. Gregory earlier voted against the amendment, but Wise said that while he personally opposes expanded gambling, he will vote to place the issue on the ballot.^[8]

Senator Wise has co-sponsored legislation that increases the penalties for those dealing in heroin and offers greater treatment options for users. "People say heroin and drug addiction only affect certain families. It affects every family, and it is something we have to address," Wise said. In October 2014, Wise's brother-in-law died of a heroin overdose.^[2]

Wise will also introduce legislation to expand wireless broadband in Kentucky through American Telephone & Telegraph. He will also pursue legislation that will allow the use of Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship funds by juniors and seniors still in high school. He will seek a check-off on state income taxes so that taxpayers can earmark optional funds for pediatric cancer research.^[2]

Wise said that he "never really knows the path that God puts before me, or where I may be led to go. I've always kept every door open and never closed the door if the opportunity presented itself."^[2]

References