Stivers Chosen As Senate President

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Senate Republicans met in Frankfort Tuesday where they chose GOP Floor Leader Robert Stivers of Manchester as Senate President over Independent Senator Bob Leeper of Paducah. Longtime Senate President David Williams gave up his Senate seat when Governor Steve Beshear appointed him to a judicial position in southern Kentucky. Senator Stivers won't officially be seated until January.

Senate President Pro Tem Katie Kratz Stine was unopposed in her re-election to that position. The GOP senators chose Damon Thayer of Georgetown as majority floor leader over David Givens of Greensburg. And they chose Brandon Smith of Hazard, another Appalachian lawmaker, as whip over Jimmy Higdon of Lebanon. Dan Seum of Louisville was re-elected as Republican caucus chairman over challenger Joe Bowen of Owensboro.