CU Professor Max Wise Becomes One of Kentucky’s Newest Senators

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Original Source – Spring 2015 – Page 4

Eight members of family
Max Wise and his family traveled to Frankfort, Ky., on Jan. 6 for his first day in session in the Kentucky State Senate. From left: Front row—Carter and Jackson. Back row—George, his father; Grayson, Heather, McLean, Max and Donna, his mother, who is chair of CU’s Department of Human Performance and assistant professor of physical education and athletics.

 

“Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will support the Constitution of the United States …” began Judge Amy Anderson to senator-elect Max Wise, Campbellsville University assistant professor of political science, on Jan. 2, 2015, at the Campbellsville Civic Center.

At the end of the oath, Wise said the final two words, “I do,” to become one of Kentucky’s newest senators. His 16th District encompasses Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russell, Taylor and Wayne counties.

“I never really know where the path is that God puts before me, or where I may be led to go,” Wise said. “I’ve always kept every door open and never closed the door if the opportunity presented itself.

Serving Kentucky (and the nation) seemed to be Wise’s calling since he graduated from CU in 1997. He started teaching at CU in 2000 in the political science department before becoming an intelligence analyst for the FBI in 2003, serving in Washington, D.C., and eventually Louisville, Ky. In 2007, he returned to CU to continue teaching political science.

man showing children how to vote in the senate
Max Wise shows his children where he sits and how he votes.

Wise said he decided to run for senator in the summer of 2013 when he saw the new redistricted map of Kentucky, putting Taylor County into the 16th senatorial district. He said it was significant because former Senator Sara Beth Gregory did not represent three of the new counties, Taylor, Adair and Russell.

“Being a political science professor,” he said, “I looked at the numbers of voters in all of the seven counties and the numbers heavily weighed Taylor, Adair and Russell. I thought I might have a good chance.”

He and his wife, Dr. Heather Wise, a pediatric dentist and CU graduate, made the decision together to go “full speed ahead and made it a family campaign.”

“Heather was so supportive. She’s always been supportive of my career, and I’ve always been supportive of hers as well. We’re a very strong team as a couple. I kept saying this was our campaign, not just for our family but for the entire community.”

Wise said not only did his children get involved, but so did his parents, CU students and community members.

“I never once said this was my campaign,” he said. “It was always our campaign, because there was so much help that I never would have expected when I ran to get the support that I did locally and regionally with this election.”

So far, Wise has co-sponsored a heroin bill, which creates tougher penalties for those dealing the drug and offers increased treatment options for users.

man in suit being sworn in by female judge
Max Wise, left, being sworn in by the Honorable Amy Anderson, Taylor County District Court Judge. (CU Photo by Drew Tucker)

“People say heroin and drug addiction only affects certain families,” Wise said. “It affects every family, and it’s something we have to address.”

Wise’s brother-in-law died from a heroin overdose in October 2014.

In addition, Wise will be introducing a bill to expand wireless broadband via AT&T throughout Kentucky, as well as a bill that allows high school juniors and seniors to use Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) money while in high school.

Another bill that is close to him is the pediatric cancer research fund bill, which would allow Kentucky taxpayers to check off on their income tax forms to send money for research. His 6-year-old son, Carter, developed neuroblastoma as an infant and still gets checkups every year.

Carter and his siblings, Grayson (11), Jackson (10) and McLean (4), learned a lot by being on the campaign trail with their father.

“It taught them a sense of civic responsibility,” Wise said. “I was able to teach them along the way, by being a professor, the importance of civics and the importance of leadership, community and service.”

“I would not be surprised if my oldest daughter, Grayson, is not the president of the United States one day,” he said with a laugh and a smile.