Henderson Will Not Seek Re-Election

Louisville Metro Councilman Bob Henderson, D-14, announced Monday he will not seek re-election in this year's elections.Henderson was one of the founding members of the council when city and county governments merged in 2003. He is a lifelong resident of Valley Station. Bob and his wife Patsy attend church at St. Peters Catholic Church in Valley Station."I have accomplished what I set out to do to help improve the district and the time has come to spend more time with my family," Henderson said in a news release. "I am proud to have helped the Metro Council begin operation under merged government."Speculation about his future had been brewing for months with a handful of candidates lining up to either succeed or challenge him in 2012.The south Louisville Democrat’s district is considered a possible swing seat that Republicans could pick up during the general election. Thus far two Republicans and three Democrats have filed to run for the seat.When asked about retirement Henderson told WFPL he wouldn't make a decision until late January in order to evaluable the field of candidates. And hours before the announcement, Henderson repeatedly told the radio station that the decision would be made at the last minute."Whenever the deadline is, that’s when I’ll make my decision where I don’t have time to do anything different. I haven’t changed any on that. I’ve got somebody—I’m looking at all of them—and what I’m going to do is make sure it’s somebody I think who can do a good job and follow-up on what we’ve started. If they’re still in the race, I’ll make my decision then," he says.Critics say Henderson has handpicked a successor and will actively campaign for that candidate after the filing deadline passes.