photos courtesy LRC Public Information
Rep. Greg Stumbo, center, is congratulated by House members upon his reelection as Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives.
FRANKFORT — Floyd County retained its standing among the legislature’s leadership, Tuesday, as Rep. Greg Stumbo and Sen. Johnny Ray Turner each held on to their positions among their bodies’ elites.
Stumbo was given a vote of confidence by his colleagues, who elected him to his third term as Speaker of the House without opposition.
“I am honored that my fellow legislators have chosen me to lead our chamber and I am humbled by the trust that they have placed in me,” Stumbo said. “The House of Representatives has always been ‘the people’s house’ and I will work hard every day to make sure the people of Kentucky remain our only priority. Over the next two years, I look forward to working with my friends on both sides of the aisle to do all we can for our constituents, Kentucky families and the Commonwealth as a whole.”
Stumbo is at the helm of the House at a time when his political party is faced with its slimmest majority ever. Democrats held on to a 55-vote majority following November’s election, down from 59 the previous year and 65 two years before that. Stumbo, however, has expressed confidence that Democrats will regain ground in 2014.
“I have never taken the responsibility of leadership lightly,” Stumbo said. “There is no doubt that Kentucky is facing a number of challenges, some new and some we’ve been battling for years. But the House of Representatives and its members are ready to tackle these issues and work to move our Commonwealth forward.”
Turner, meanwhile, had to fend off a strong challenge from Sen. Denise Harper Angel to retain his post as Minority Caucus Chair. The first vote between the two ended in a deadlock, but Turner won a second vote.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation for the confidence entrusted in me by my fellow colleagues,” Turner said. “With this position of leadership comes great responsibility, and I welcome the opportunity. I look forward to working in a bi-partisan manner with my Senate colleagues, members of the House and Governor Beshear in addressing the challenges facing our Commonwealth.”
It was Turner’s sixth time being elected to the post.
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