GOP caucus again elects David Williams to head state Senate
Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville
By Jack Brammer – jbrammer@herald-leader.com
ELIZABETHTOWN — Republican members of the Kentucky Senate unanimously voted on Saturday to give Senate President David Williams another term as their leader.
The GOP caucus decided to keep in place all of its current leaders. They include Senate President Pro Tem Katie Stine of Southgate, Majority Leader Robert Stivers of Manchester, Caucus Chairman Dan Seum of Louisville and Whip Carroll Gibson of Leitchfield.
Earlier this week, Sen. Julie Denton, R-Louisville, said she would run against Williams for Senate president, but she decided early Saturday to not enter the race.
Denton, who chairs the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, had said it’s in Williams’ best interests not to be in leadership while running for governor in 2011.
“It’s never worked in the past,” she had said, noting efforts in recent years by former House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, to run for governor, falling short and then losing his leadership role.
Denton did not attend the GOP caucus meeting at an Elizabethtown hotel, but did participate in a telephone conference.
Stivers said all Republican members attended the caucus except for Denton, Sen. Ernie Harris of Crestwood and Sen. Tom Buford of Nicholasville. All of them submitted votes.
The top two positions, president and president pro tem, will be voted on by the entire 38-member chamber in early January, but Williams and Stine will be re-elected because the GOP caucus will have 23 members, including independent Sen. Bob Leeper of Paducah.
Stivers said it was decided on Wednesday to hold the leadership election so that leaders could prepare for the upcoming session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
Bill Adkins | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
SSDD – David Williams makes a mockery of that mockery that is the Tealiban.
yeah right | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Well who would expect the Republicans do do anything new or besides sayint “no”…. They are the same old story, and it goes in their pockets only…..wise up KY
sunshineinmysoul | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
When are the so-called leaders of this great commonwealth going to quit being BULLIED by the arrogant, self-serving David Williams? Grow some balls, folks — get rid of him!
Mainecat | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Stupity Reigns
Thunder Storm | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Sunshine and others. We just had our opportunity to get rid of David Williams. and didn’t. We went the complete other direction by voting him even more power, he has a super majority and can stop everything. Now he can solidify his base with redistricting.
The failure of our Democratic Party Leaders (Dan Logsdon and Steve Beshear) never campaigning on redistricting and now it will suffer the consequences.
If you live in Lexington, you had your opportunity to get rid of David Williams by voting for Don Blevins. You had the opportunity to get involved by helping Don Blevins Get Out The Vote. but obviously us Democrats failed to do that.
So we need to quit complaining on this site and start TODAY in getting the Republicans and David Williams out of the Governors Office. Call your local Democratic Executive committee (if there is one) and get involved.
Just think how it will be if King David is Governor and he still controls the Senate.
Be scared… Be very scared and get involved.
HackRichards | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Is name calling all a Liberal knows how to do? Ex. Obama calling his fellow Americans “Enemies”.
You guys ought to be ashamed.
Mainecat | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Hack, that is all you guys can do when you don’t have a plan or an answer, get on us for “namecalling” You guys have done your share of it,
Tommy Caudill | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
I’ve never known anybody named Williams that had any sense at all. David Williams is the worst of all the Williams.
Tommy Caudill | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
David Williams has never been on Social Security, and has never been treated at a VA Hospital. He is not qualified to hold office.
dedicated voter | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Richie Farmer will lose the Governor’s race for Williams. He is a scandal waiting to happen.
dixxiecrat | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Williams won’t win the primary. Farmer has been nothing but a traveling/golfing Ag. Commissioner.
Dennis Lanham | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Why would any political party support this man. He is most obstructive force in Kentucky politics in my lifetime. He has no ideas of his own and his only agenda is block progress.
Will | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Same ole same ole. Should we expect anything to change? No.
Philip | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Name-calling liberal lawyer Bill Adkins: If you think you know so much, why don’t you run for office. Oh, I forgot, you did…and you lost! And a lot of your liberal friends just lost, too. Get used to it. American Liberalism doesn’t work!
David Williams is hated by liberals because he has defended Kentuckians from their insanity.
Liberal and Proud of it | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
GOP ran on repealing the healthcare bill. What happens when they dont? Will the tea party admit they are liars THEN?
Jim | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
This was a huge mistake for the State of KY. There is no hope of profressing with idiots like Williams in leadership positions.
Lynne | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
I’m a registered Republican and have disagreed with King David on just about every issue. Arrogant and self-serving, Williams has proven time and time again that he cares nothing about the people of Kentucky. And for the record, I know numerous Republican citizens who feel the exact same way.
Tommy Caudill | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Jim Gray told me David Williams has brown stripes in his briefs.
donfky | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
What a lackluster bunch! It is a tragedy for Kentucky. I guess they will try something brilliant like taxing our beer some more!
phyre | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
William has the freedom to fill his pockets from Indiana casinos. The last KY horse breeder to leave for PA., please turn out the lights.
chuckie | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
barf
teabagger2431_section3269 | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
liberal and proud of it, how would the tea party people be “liars” if congress fails to repeal obamacare?
teabagger2431_section3269 | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
guaranteed democratic victory for the next gov election with williams and farmer. gop – get real! Williams is the staid, tired excuse of a “leader” of the establishment gop and is not good for KY nor america. Get the heck outta dodge, williams.
Liberal and Proud of it | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Nowhere did I say anything abot the tea party being liars, evidently you can’t comprehend I was talking about the GOP.
teabagger2431_section3269 | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Liberal and Proud of it | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
GOP ran on repealing the healthcare bill. What happens when they dont? Will the tea party admit they are liars THEN?
Tommy Caudill | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
You have to admit the democrats have much better looking men then david williams and the other GOP leaders.
phyre | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
what’s the difference between a teabagger and david williams?
Bill adkins is positive like a battery sometimes!
Tommy Caudill | Nov 6, 2010 | Reply
Personally, I feel that there continues to be a real threat of alien invasion, and David Williams is their scout.
Smith | Nov 7, 2010 | Reply
Not all Republicans like Williams so don’t bash all of us just because of him.
Gubmint_Cheese | Nov 7, 2010 | Reply
Wow…I thought only Republicans resorted to name calling and fear mongering. Guess I dropped the ball on that one…
Gubmint_Cheese | Nov 7, 2010 | Reply
…apparently it does…
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