Lee, Hoffman upset House leaders

By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service

FRANKFORT January 03, 2007 03:27 pm

— Republican Senate President David Williams and other legislators were predicting a “collegial” session of the General Assembly intimating relations between parties and chambers have grown more cooperative as they adjust to divided party government in Frankfort.
But that collegiality may not extend within each party caucus – at least in the House of Representatives where both parties ousted incumbent members of leadership.
Republicans elected conservative Stan Lee of Lexington to replace Kenneth Upchurch of Monticello as Minority Whip and Democrats chose Charlie Hoffman of Georgetown who defeated Bob Damron of Nicholasville as Democratic Caucus Chairman.
Rob Wilkey of Scottsville, who two years ago mounted a challenge to House Speaker Jody Richards, defeated John Will Stacy of West Liberty in a run-off for in a four-way race for Majority Whip, a post previously held by Joe Barrows who did not seek re-election to the House this year. Jimmie Lee of Elizabethtown and Ruth Ann Palumbo of Lexington were eliminated on the first ballot.
All other House leaders and all Senate leaders were re-elected. Democrats Richards and Rocky Adkins of Sandy Hook were re-elected as Speaker and Majority Leader, respectively, without opposition. Larry Clark of Louisville defeated Jim Gooch of Providence for Speaker Pro Tem. Republican Minority Leader Jeff Hoover of Jamestown and Minority Caucus Chair Bob DeWeese of Louisville were re-elected.
There was no suspense in the Senate, as all leaders in both parties were re-elected by acclamation, including Johnny Ray Turner, D-Drift, as Democratic Caucus Chair. Turner recently pleaded guilty to violations of campaign finance laws. Republicans re-elected Williams of Burkesville as Senate President, Katie Stine of Southgate as President Pro Tem, Dan Kelly of Springfield as Majority Leader, and Richie Sanders of Franklin as Caucus Chair.
Richmond Democrat Ed Worley was elected Minority Leader and Joey Pendleton of Hopkinsville was elected Minority Whip.
But the upset wins by Lee and Hoffman caused the most stir. Lee, Upchurch and Dwight Butler of Harned were tied with 13 votes each on the first ballot. Butler was then eliminated on the second, and Lee won the run-off.
Lee said he won because Republican House members believed the Republican Party has gotten away from its basic philosophies and wanted “more active leadership and for its leaders to be more active on certain issues.”
Lee, who has pre-filed bills to repeal the alternative minimum tax calculation or AMC and one to prohibit universities from offering domestic partner health insurance benefits, said those issues could include “taxes and some social issues that could come up in this session.”
Hoffman entered the race against Damron late, but defeated the conservative Democrat who won the Caucus Chair position by one vote two years ago. Both Damron and Stacy may have suffered from residual alienation among fellow Democrats who resented their endorsement three years ago of a tax modernization plan pushed by Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher. A version of that plan later passed the General Assembly.
“People just like Charlie,” Richards said.
He also said all is forgiven between him and Wilkey who represents a portion of Warren County, Richards' home county. Richards also said he was focused only on winning the Speaker’s job and would not comment on speculation he may want to run for governor.
Richards said the closeness of the contested elections – reportedly Wilkey defeated Stacy by three votes – “signifies we’re all friends. I think it’s a very, very good leadership team.”
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. He may be contacted by e-mail at rellis@cnhi.com.