Max Wise

George Maxwell Wise (born June 28, 1975) is an American politician and former FBI agent, who has served as a member of the Kentucky Senate since January 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Wise represents Kentucky's 16th Senate district, which includes Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor counties as well as part of Warren County. He has served as Senate majority leader since January 2025.

During the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft chose Wise to be her running mate. Their ticket was defeated by Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron.

Early life and education Wise was born in Campbellsville, Kentucky. He attended Campbellsville High School, graduating in 1993.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from Campbellsville University in 1997. He was first assigned to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. before being relocated to the Louisville, Kentucky field office. He was a member of the Louisville Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center. Wise then taught political science at Campbellsville University, and graduate-level terrorism courses at the University of Kentucky.

Kentucky Senate Wise was first elected to the Kentucky Senate in November 2014, defeating Republican incumbent Sara Beth Gregory of Kentucky's 16th Senate district in the Republican primary 54%-46%. Wise was unopposed for reelection in 2018 and 2022.

2023 gubernatorial election In September 2022, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft chose Wise to be her running mate in the 2023 Kentucky gubernatorial election. Their ticket placed third in the Republican primary, losing to Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron.

Personal life Wise's father is George Wise, and his mother Donna Wise was the women's basketball coach at Campbellsville University. She is Campbellsville University's all-time winningest coach, and was inducted into the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.

Wise is married to Heather Hood Wise. She is now a pediatric dentist. They have four children; Grayson, Jackson, Carter, and McLean.