Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham has announced he’ll step down, effective February 1st.
Cunningham was first elected by western Kentucky voters in 2006. He previously served as Eddyville City Attorney, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 56th judicial district and as Circuit Judge in that district from 1992 until his election to the high court.
He tells the Murray Ledger and Times that he plans to spend more time with his wife, five children and 15 grandchildren, but he isn’t necessarily retiring. He says he hopes to be ‘engaged in things in western Kentucky for many more years.’
The 74-year old has written local history books on topics such as the Night Riders saga over the years and says he could possibly see himself doing more projects such as that in the future.
Justice Cunningham says he could also see himself being persuaded to speak to lawmakers in Frankfort, if the cause was regarding Kentucky’s court system.
He says he feels blessed to have served with ‘Twelve of the most distinguished legal minds in Kentucky,’ and that his decision to step down was ‘the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make.’