HENDERSON COUNTY—Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney has chosen not to seek re-election. In a letter dated June 20, McKinney states that, “When I started with the county in 1994 I was a road hand filling potholes in Precinct 2. I never set out to hold office. I just wanted to chase cows and bale hay. Commissioner Harold Hammer talked me into coming to work for the county for a year and one year turned into 32.” 
He goes on to state that, “I have been honored to serve as your commissioner for 20 years and as your County Judge since 2019. Along the way, I have learned that the most important work we do is built on relationships. Nothing meaningful is accomplished alone, and I have been blessed to work alongside some incredible people to make Henderson County a better place.”
McKinney said that this is not about slowing down or saying goodbye. It is about shifting focus. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and working on my land, getting back to some of the things I have always loved. McKinney says, “I also want to help others navigate the challenges of local government with the knowledge and experience I have gained these last 32 years. The work is never really finished.”
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together and I will always be grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I will finish out this term working hard for you, just like I always have. At heart, I am still a road hand. But it has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Henderson County,” stated McKinney.