Kentucky House members have formally approved their leaders from both political parties.
Decisions were made during closed door caucus meetings Tuesday.
Former House Speaker Jody Richards of Bowling Green was chosen to serve as speaker pro tem. He replaces Larry Clark of Louisville who served in that role since 1993. Clark chose not to seek re-election to a leadership position.
This marks the first time in decades that the state's largest city will not have representation in House leadership. Richards says Louisville will not be slighted.
"I think people are making way too much out of sectionalism," he said. "I don't make a big deal out of that because we all represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Louisville is our flagship city and I'll do whatever I can to promote it."
Richards says as House Speaker, he was on board for several Louisville related initiatives such as improvements to the convention center and the construction of the Yum Center. ?
