Kentucky Senate
Kentucky Senate | |
|---|---|
| Kentucky General Assembly | |
 | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
New session started | January 2, 2024(adjourned) |
| Leadership | |
Majority Leader | |
Minority Leader | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 38 |
 | |
Political groups | Majority
Minority
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Authority | The Legislative Department, Section 29,Kentucky Constitution |
| Salary | $188.22/day + per diem (elected before January 1, 2023) $203.28/day + per diem (elected after January 1, 2023)[1] |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 8, 2022 (19 seats) |
Next election | November 5, 2024 (19 seats) |
| Redistricting | Legislative Control |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Senate Chamber Kentucky State Capitol Frankfort,Kentucky | |
| Website | |
| Legislative Research Commission | |
TheKentucky Senateis theupper houseof theKentucky General Assembly.The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughoutthe Commonwealth.There are noterm limitsfor Kentucky senators. The Kentucky Senate meets at theKentucky State CapitolinFrankfortannually beginning in January. Sessions last for 60 legislative days in even-numbered years and 30 legislative days in odd-numbered years.[2]
Republicanshave had control of the Senate since 2000. They currently hold 31 seats toDemocrats' 7.
Terms and qualifications
[edit]According to Section 32 of theKentucky Constitution,a senator must:
- be at least 30 years old;
- be a citizen of Kentucky;
- have resided in the state at least six years and the district at least one year prior to election.
Per section 30 of the Kentucky Constitution, senators are elected to four year staggered terms, with half the Senate elected every two years.
Leadership
[edit]Prior to a 1992constitutional amendment,theLieutenant Governor of Kentuckypresided over the Senate; the 1992 amendment created a new office ofPresident of the Senateto be held by one of the 38 senators.
Leaders
[edit]- President(elected by full body):Robert Stivers(R-25)
- President pro tempore(elected by full body):David P. Givens(R-9)
Additionally, each political party elects a floor leader, whip, andcaucuschairman.
Current party leadership of the Kentucky Senate:
- Republican Party
- Leader:Damon Thayer(R-17)
- Whip:Mike Wilson(R-32)
- Caucus chair:Julie Raque Adams(R-36)
- Democratic Party
- Leader:Gerald Neal(D-33)
- Whip:David Yates(D-37)
- Caucus chair:Reggie Thomas(D-13)
Members
[edit]
| Session | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Democratic | Vacant | ||
| 2017–2018 sessions | 27 | 11 | 38 | 0 |
| 2019 session | 28 | 9 | 37 | 1 |
| 2020 session | 29 | 9 | 38 | 0 |
| 2021–2022 sessions | 30 | 8 | 38 | 0 |
| January 2, 2023[3] | 31 | 6 | 37 | 1 |
| January 6, 2023[4] | 30 | 6 | 36 | 2 |
| March 2, 2023[5] | 30 | 7 | 37 | 1 |
| June 8, 2023[6] | 31 | 7 | 38 | 0 |
| Latest voting share | 82% | 18% | ||
List of current senators
[edit]2023 Special Elections
[edit]- On February 21, 2023, a special election was held to fill the vacant 19th district Senate seat left byMorgan McGarvey.[7]The seat opened up after McGarvey ran and won the U.S. House seat inKentucky's 3rd congressional district.Democratic candidateCassie Chambers Armstrongdefeated Republican candidate Misty Glin to become Senator.
- On May 16, 2023, a special election was held to fill the vacant 28th district Senate seat left byRalph Alvarado.The seat opened up after Alvarado was appointed the 15th Commissioner of theTennessee Department of Health.[8]The candidates wereGreg Elkins(R) ofWinchester,Robert Sainte (D) of Winchester, and former KentuckyState RepresentativeRichard Henderson(I) ofMt. Sterling.Republican candidate Greg Elkins defeated Sainte and Henderson to become Senator.
History
[edit]Carolyn Conn Moorebecame the first woman to serve in the Kentucky Senate when in November 1949 she won a special election to replace her husband, J. Lee Moore, in the legislature after his death.[9]Georgia Davis Powersbecame the first person of color to be elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1967.Gerald Nealbecame the first African American ever to be elected to a leadership position in theKentucky General Assemblyin 2014.[10]Ralph Alvaradobecame the first Hispanic to serve in theKentucky General Assemblywhen he was elected in 2014.[11]
Standing committees
[edit]As of 20 January 2023[update].[12]
| Committee | Chair | Vice Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Jason Howell(R-1) | Gary Boswell(R-8) |
| Appropriations & Revenue | Christian McDaniel(R-23) | Amanda Mays Bledsoe(R-12) |
| Banking & Insurance | Jared Carpenter(R-34) | Rick Girdler(R-15) |
| Committee on Committees | Robert Stivers(R-25) | n/a |
| Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor | Max Wise(R-16) | Phillip Wheeler(R-31) |
| Education | Steve West(R-27) | Gex Williams(R-20) |
| Enrollment | Amanda Mays Bledsoe(R-12) | n/a |
| Families and Children | Danny Carrol(R-2) | Julie Raque Adams(R-36) |
| Health Services | Stephen Meredith(R-5) | Donald Douglas(R-22) |
| Judiciary | Whitney Westerfield(R-3) | Phillip Wheeler(R-31) |
| Licensing & Occupations | John Schickel(R-11) | Mike Nemes(R-38) |
| Natural Resources & Energy | Brandon Smith(R-30) | Johnnie Turner(R-29) |
| Rules | Robert Stivers(R-25) | n/a |
| State & Local Government | Robby Mills(R-4) | Mike Nemes(R-38) |
| Transportation | Jimmy Higdon(R-14) | Brandon J. Storm(R-21) |
| Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection | Rick Girdler(R-15) | Matthew Deneen(R-10) |
Past composition of the Senate
[edit]See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^Williams previously served in the senate from 1993 to 1999.
References
[edit]- ^"How much do Kentucky's governor and other elected officials make? Here's a list".Louisville Courier-Journal.RetrievedJanuary 17,2024.
- ^"Publications – The Council of State Governments".February 19, 2020.
- ^Caldwell, Michael (January 9, 2023)."Ky. 19th Senatorial District special election to be held".WAVE.
- ^"Alvarado sworn in as health commissioner in Tennessee".Winchester Sun.January 19, 2023.
- ^"Kentucky Democrat wins special election to fill seat in state's GOP-dominated Senate".Associated Press.February 22, 2023.
- ^"Kentucky's 28th District elects new state senator".wkyt.May 16, 2023.RetrievedJune 5,2023.
- ^"Ky. 19th Senatorial District special election to be held".wave3.January 9, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 22,2023.
- ^"Alvarado sworn in as health commissioner in Tennessee".The Winchester Sun.January 19, 2023.RetrievedFebruary 20,2023.
- ^Oswald, Sharon (January 5, 1977)."From senate to housemother, Mrs. Moore is mother of 110".The Tuscaloosa News.Tuscaloosa. p. 8.RetrievedMarch 15,2010.
- ^Lawrence Smith (December 2, 2014)."Louisville state senator becomes first African-American elected to leadership in KY legislature".wdrb.RetrievedJuly 16,2018.
- ^"Ralph Alvarado".cof.org.October 28, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 24,2023.
- ^"2023 Senate Standing Committees".RetrievedJanuary 20,2023.
External links
[edit]- Kentucky Legislature Senate MembersArchivedJune 6, 2012, at theWayback Machineofficial government website
- State Senate of KentuckyatProject Vote Smart
- Kentucky SenateatBallotpedia
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