Ky. Senate Republicans move up leadership elections to Nov. 27

Senate Republicans will nominate their candidate for Senate president and pick the leaders of the majority caucus on Nov. 27 instead of the GOP caucus retreat in mid-December.

Republican Caucus Chairman Dan Seum of Louisville told Pure Politics on Wednesday that he sent the current 22 Republicans and independent Sen. Bob Leeper a letter Tuesday evening that set the leadership elections for 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.

Seum said one of the reasons for the accelerated timeline is the increase in interest among senators in seeking a spot. As many as 11 candidates are vying for five GOP leadership spots.

Getting the elections over earlier give more time before the session starts in January for senators to get over any hard feelings from losing the elections, Seum said.

UPDATE: The leadership elections will be decided by paper ballots.

Here are the candidates for leadership positions:

SENATE PRESIDENT
Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester
Sen. Bob Leeper, I-Paducah

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM
Sen. Katie Stine, R-Southgate (incumbent)

REPUBLICAN FLOOR LEADER
Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg
Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown

REPUBLICAN CAUCUS CHAIRMAN
Sen. Dan Seum, R-Louisville (incumbent)
Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro

REPUBLICAN WHIP
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon
Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green
Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard
(?) Sen. Carroll Gibson, R-Leitchfield (incumbent)