Republicans in the Kentucky House of Representatives will return to session in January with the same slate of leaders, a caucus vote has determined.
House Speaker David Osborne of Prospect was nominated unopposed by a majority of his Republican colleagues to take up the gavel for a fourth term on Tuesday during a House Majority Caucus vote in the Capitol Annex.
For a Republican to serve four terms as chairman is historic and unprecedented in Kentucky’s 232-year history, GOP leadership spokesperson Laura Leigh Goins said in a news release.
Osborne was first elected leader in 2018, succeeding former embattled chairman Jeff Hoover, who resigned following a sexual harassment scandal. He previously served as President Pro Tempore and has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2005.
Osborne said in a statement that he was “humbled by the support of this caucus and looks forward to continuing in my role.”
“Each of our 80 members represents a district of more than 45,000 Kentuckians,” Osborne continued. “While their needs and priorities may vary from district to district, we are all committed to adopting policies that reflect our state’s values and priorities,” he said.
Those priorities include creating jobs and encouraging economic investment in Kentucky. A priority for the next legislative session, he said, is to continue working to eliminate the state income tax by lowering it to 3.5% by 2026.
Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, R-Stanford, was also re-elected to a fourth term. Meade was first elected in 2013 and previously served as majority assembly chairman.
Both are constitutional roles that will be voted on by all members of the House of Representatives once the General Assembly convenes on January 7. The move is largely a formality as Republicans retain majorities in both chambers.
Republicans in the House of Representatives also re-elected Majority Leader Steven Rudy of Paducah, House Caucus Chairman Suzanne Miles of Owensboro and Majority Whip Jason Nemes. Rudy was first elected floor leader in 2021, Miles has been caucus chairman since 2018 and Nemes was named majority whip in 2022.
The deliberation and voting process in choosing internal leadership is private, as is the appointment process. Unless sitting lawmakers publicly announce that they are vying for a leadership role, that information is confidential. Only the results of the nomination votes are public.
Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, announced his candidacy for Speaker Pro Tempore to replace Meade on Nov. 9.
His goal, Calloway said on of their districts.”
This story may be updated.
