Speaker Selected in Session

By Angela Hatton

Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky House of Representatives will elect a new Speaker today, as the 2009 General Assembly gets underway in Frankfort. Former Attorney General Greg Stumbo is challenging long-time House Speaker Jody Richards, and both men are confident of victory. Senate President David Williams is anxious to see who prevails, so negotiations on Governor Beshear's budget-balancing plan can begin.

"You know, in this particular situation, I can work with either one of these guys. I mean, I've had tension from time to time with either one of them, but that's the nature of the beast. Anywhere you have a House and a Senate and a bicameral situation, there's going to be some sort of situation."

The entire House votes for Speaker, but majority Democrats are expected to settle the race in closed caucus before taking the matter to the floor.