In his campaign, Wise questioned why his opponent, Sara Beth Gregory, made a sudden successful run for the state Senate after having served in the Kentucky House of Representatives for only two years. There were few policy differences between the candidates. Both opposed abortion, an increase in the minimum wage, same-sex marriage, gun control, and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. The Gregory-Wise primary highlighted regional geographic differences within the district, which was heavily revised through redistricting in 2013; two counties were removed and three others were added to the seven-county district, including Taylor County in which Wise won 89 percent of the vote. Wise describes himself as "not a cookie-cutter politician" but one who brings "a unique opportunity for the citizens of the 16th district to have a voice in Frankfort that will help change the status quo." Wise remained neutral in the U.S. Senate primary between incumbent Mitch McConnell, whom Gregory endorsed, and Tea Party challenger Matt Bevin, who failed to deny McConnell re-nomination. Wise's wife and his mother contributed to Senator McConnell in the 2008 election. His parents also donated to the Republican National Committee. In the primary, Wise defeated Gregory, 54.5 to 45.5 percent. He became a senator-elect because no Democrat was contesting the seat in the general election held on November 4, 2014. After his victory, Wise said that he will vote to permit Kentucky voters to decide the fate of casino gambling through a state constitutional amendment election. Gregory earlier voted against the amendment, but Wise said that while he personally opposes expanded gambling, he will vote to place the issue on the ballot. Senator Wise has co-sponsored legislation that increases the penalties for those dealing in heroin and offers greater treatment options for users. "People say heroin and drug addiction only affect certain families. It affects every family, and it is something we have to address," Wise said. In October 2014, Wise's brother-in-law died of a heroin overdose. Wise will also introduce legislation to expand wireless broadband in Kentucky through American Telephone & Telegraph. He will also pursue legislation that will allow the use of Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship funds by juniors and seniors still in high school. He will seek a check-off on state income taxes so that taxpayers can earmark optional funds for pediatric cancer research. Wise said that he "never really knows the path that God puts before me, or where I may be led to go. I've always kept every door open and never closed the door if the opportunity presented itself." A candidate for re-election to the state Senate in the November 6, 2018 general election, Wise faces a write-in opponent, Nicole Britton. In May 2018, Wise was mentioned among ten Kentucky Republicans by Spectrum News as a potential candidate for governor should incumbent Matt Bevin not seek reelection. Wise said that he is honored to be mentioned as a gubernatorial possibility but is now concentrating on his senatorial duties.
