Tilley challenged James R. Carr, the incumbent Republican Representative for Kentucky's 8th State House district, in the 2006 elections.
[4] He also sponsored or championed sweeping legislation on opioids and pill mills, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault, synthetic drugs, juvenile justice and internet crimes against children.
[5] In December 2015, Governor Matt Bevin appointed Tilley to the position of Secretary of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
He has led an overhaul of the Department of Juvenile Justice to modernize policy, lower costs, and achieve better outcomes for both children and public safety.
He also spearheaded a redesign of the Department of Corrections Reentry Division to focus resources on training inmates and connecting them with sustainable employment, housing and transportation.