Beshear not ruling out possibilty of appointing David Williams to open judgeship

Gov. Steve Beshear spoke to the chief justice Wednesday about proceeding with filling vacant judgeship including the open circuit judgeship in Cumberland County — the home county of Republican Senate President David Williams.

But Beshear wouldn’t say whether he plans to appoint Williams to replace Circuit Judge Eddie Lovelace, who died last week at the age of 78.

Beshear said he hasn’t contacted Williams’ office about it and his office hasn’t heard from Williams or his representatives about whether the senator is interested.

Williams didn’t answer a question about for the Pure Politics article last week.

Williams and Beshear have clashed beyond the 2011 election when they faced each other in the governor’s race.

Williams has served as Senate president since 2000 and has pledged to stay in Frankfort longer than Beshear, whose final term as governor ends in 2015. Senators will select their leaders for the next two years in January. And Williams has said he has the votes to remain Senate president, even as no Republican senator has announced intent to also run for the post.