[5] In the general election, Kendrick faced Carol "Sunny" Phillips, state comptroller Bob Milligan's chief lobbyist and the Republican nominee.

[7] In 2002, Kendrick faced no opposition in the Democratic primary and was only opposed by Libertarian candidate John McElligott in the general election.

He criticized the Democratic Party for taking him for granted, and argued that he would be better able to win state funding for projects in his district as a Republican in the Republican-dominated house.

[10] As Chairman, he successfully pushed to increase funding for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by increasing fees,[11] protected state funding for wildlife preservation,[12] established a program to preserve seagrass by creating seagrass mitigation banks,[13] and backed an effort to restore the Crooked River Light Station's beam.

[14] Kendrick also sponsored legislation to provide breakfast to middle school students[12] and successfully pushed to expand the Franklin Correctional Institution in Carrabelle to add a work camp.