Rex Smith reportedly will challenge Sen. Leeper

Former Democratic state Rep. Rex Smith will run against independent incumbent Bob Leeper next year for the 2nd Senate District in far Western Kentucky, state Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Moore said Monday night.

Moore, appearing on Kentucky Educational Television’s “Kentucky Tonight,” said Smith has informed him that he will seek the Senate seat.  Smith did not return phone calls Tuesday for comment.

Leeper, a Paducah chiropractor, has represented the district since 1991 as a Democrat, Republican and independent.  It covers Ballard, Marshall and McCracken counties.

Though an independent now, Leeper usually sides with Republicans. He is chairman of the Senate budget committee.

Smith, a Grand Rivers businessman who is close to Gov. Steve Beshear, represented the 4th House District in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Beshear is trying to wrest control of the Senate from Republicans. The GOP now holds a 20-17 majority in the chamber, with the one independent.

–Jack Brammer