The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. There are no term limits for Kentucky senators. The Kentucky Senate meets at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort annually beginning in January. Sessions last for 60 legislative days in even-numbered years and 30 legislative days in odd-numbered years.[2]

Republicans have had control of the Senate since 2000. They currently hold 31 seats to Democrats' 7.

Terms and qualifications

According to Section 32 of the Kentucky 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

Prior to a 1992 constitutional amendment, the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky presided over the Senate; the 1992 amendment created a new office of President of the Senate to be held by one of the 38 senators.

Leaders

Additionally, each political party elects a floor leader, whip, and caucus chairman.

Current party leadership of the Kentucky Senate:

Members

Senate composition by district
  Held by Democrats
  Held by Republicans
SessionParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
RepublicanDemocraticVacant
2017–2018 sessions2711380
2019 session289371
2020 session299380
2021–2022 sessions308380
January 2, 2023[3]316371
January 6, 2023[4]306362
March 2, 2023[5]307371
June 8, 2023[6]317380
Latest voting share82%18%

List of current senators

DistrictSenatorPartySinceResidenceCounties represented
1Jason HowellRepublican2021MurrayCalloway, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, Trigg
2Danny CarrollRepublican2015BentonBallard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken
3Whitney WesterfieldRepublican2013Fruit HillCaldwell, Christian, Muhlenberg
4Robby MillsRepublican2019HendersonHenderson, Hopkins, Union, Webster
5Stephen MeredithRepublican2017LeitchfieldBreckinridge, Butler, Grayson, Meade, Ohio
6Lindsey TichenorRepublican2023SmithfieldJefferson (Part), Oldham, Trimble
7Adrienne SouthworthRepublican2021LawrenceburgAnderson, Henry, Jefferson (Part), Shelby
8Gary BoswellRepublican2023OwensboroDaviess, Hancock, McLean
9David P. GivensRepublican2009GreensburgBarren, Edmondson, Green, Hart, Warren (Part)
10Matthew DeneenRepublican2023ElizabethtownHardin, Jefferson (Part)
11John SchickelRepublican2009UnionBoone (Part)
12Amanda Mays BledsoeRepublican2023LexingtonBoyle, Fayette (Part), Mercer, Woodford
13Reggie ThomasDemocratic2014LexingtonFayette (Part)
14Jimmy HigdonRepublican2009LebanonLarue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, Washington
15Rick GirdlerRepublican2017SomersetClinton, Cumberland, Pulaski, Russell, Wayne
16Max WiseRepublican2015CampbellsvilleAdair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, Taylor, Warren (Part)
17Damon ThayerRepublican2003GeorgetownFayette (Part), Grant, Kenton (Part), Scott
18Robin L. WebbDemocratic2009GraysonBoyd, Carter, Greenup, Lewis
19Cassie Chambers ArmstrongDemocratic2023LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
20Gex WilliamsRepublican2023[a]VeronaBoone (Part), Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Kenton (Part), Owen
21Brandon StormRepublican2021LondonCasey, Laurel, Lincoln, Rockcastle
22Donald DouglasRepublican2021NicholasvilleFayette (Part), Garrard, Jessamine
23Christian McDanielRepublican2013Ryland HeightsKenton (Part)
24Shelley Funke FrommeyerRepublican2023AlexandriaBracken, Campbell, Kenton (Part), Pendleton
25Robert StiversRepublican1997ManchesterClay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, Whitley
26Karen BergDemocratic2020LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
27Steve WestRepublican2015ParisBourbon, Fayette (Part), Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, Rowan
28Greg ElkinsRepublican2023WinchesterBath, Clark, Fayette (Part), Menifee, Montgomery
29Johnnie TurnerRepublican2021HarlanBell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Letcher
30Brandon SmithRepublican2008HazardBreathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, Wolfe
31Phillip WheelerRepublican2019PikevilleElliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Pike
32Mike WilsonRepublican2011Bowling GreenLogan, Simpson, Todd, Warren (Part)
33Gerald NealDemocratic1989LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
34Jared CarpenterRepublican2011BereaFayette (Part), Madison
35Denise Harper AngelDemocratic2005LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
36Julie Raque AdamsRepublican2015LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
37David YatesDemocratic2021LouisvilleJefferson (Part)
38Mike NemesRepublican2020ShepherdsvilleBullitt, Jefferson (Part)

2023 Special Elections

History

Carolyn Conn Moore became 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 Powers became the first person of color to be elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1967. Gerald Neal became the first African American ever to be elected to a leadership position in the Kentucky General Assembly in 2014.[10] Ralph Alvarado became the first Hispanic to serve in the Kentucky General Assembly when he was elected in 2014.[11]

Standing committees

As of 20 January 2023.[12]

CommitteeChairVice Chair
AgricultureJason Howell (R-1)Gary Boswell (R-8)
Appropriations & RevenueChristian McDaniel (R-23)Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R-12)
Banking & InsuranceJared Carpenter (R-34)Rick Girdler (R-15)
Committee on CommitteesRobert Stivers (R-25)n/a
Economic Development, Tourism, & LaborMax Wise (R-16)Phillip Wheeler (R-31)
EducationSteve West (R-27)Gex Williams (R-20)
EnrollmentAmanda Mays Bledsoe (R-12)n/a
Families and ChildrenDanny Carrol (R-2)Julie Raque Adams (R-36)
Health ServicesStephen Meredith (R-5)Donald Douglas (R-22)
JudiciaryWhitney Westerfield (R-3)Phillip Wheeler (R-31)
Licensing & OccupationsJohn Schickel (R-11)Mike Nemes (R-38)
Natural Resources & EnergyBrandon Smith (R-30)Johnnie Turner (R-29)
RulesRobert Stivers (R-25)n/a
State & Local GovernmentRobby Mills (R-4)Mike Nemes (R-38)
TransportationJimmy Higdon (R-14)Brandon Storm (R-21)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public ProtectionRick Girdler (R-15)Matthew Deneen (R-10)

Past composition of the Senate

Main article: Political party strength in Kentucky

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Williams previously served in the senate from 1993 to 1999.

References

  1. ^ "How much do Kentucky's governor and other elected officials make? Here's a list". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "Publications – The Council of State Governments". February 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Caldwell, Michael (January 9, 2023). "Ky. 19th Senatorial District special election to be held". WAVE.
  4. ^ "Alvarado sworn in as health commissioner in Tennessee". Winchester Sun. January 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kentucky Democrat wins special election to fill seat in state's GOP-dominated Senate". Associated Press. February 22, 2023.
  6. ^ "Kentucky's 28th District elects new state senator". wkyt.com. May 16, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Ky. 19th Senatorial District special election to be held". www.wave3.com. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "Alvarado sworn in as health commissioner in Tennessee". The Winchester Sun. January 19, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Oswald, Sharon (January 5, 1977). "From senate to housemother, Mrs. Moore is mother of 110". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa. p. 8. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  10. ^ Lawrence Smith (December 2, 2014). "Louisville state senator becomes first African-American elected to leadership in KY legislature". wdrb.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "Ralph Alvarado". cof.org. October 28, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "2023 Senate Standing Committees". Retrieved January 20, 2023.

External links

38°11′12.4″N 84°52′33.5″W / 38.186778°N 84.875972°W / 38.186778; -84.875972

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Senate