The Chatter: Senate President David Williams and wife Robyn to file for divorce

State Senate President David Williams and his wife Robyn announced today through a joint press release that they are getting divorced.

The statements indicated Robyn Williams, a former district judge, initiated the divorce, although she requested privacy. The two wed in 2003. It was the second marriage for both of them. And the couple had been raising two children from Robyn Williams’ previous marriage.

The couple attended the Republican National Convention in Tampa together two weeks ago as delegates, but apparently that was their last trip together as a married couple.

Robyn Williams declined an interview with Pure Politics on camera at the time.

David Williams said in a statement that: “Robyn has decided to take her life in a different direction. I greatly admire her and appreciate the time we have spent together. I wish her only the best in her future endeavors.”

In the joint statement released through Williams’ office, Robyn Williams said she and David Williams “have filed papers to terminate our marriage.”

She went on to say:

“There are always pressures on relationships, and the rough-and-tumble pressures of the full time political world, compounded by the immense pressures of a multi-year gubernatorial campaign, brought unique and incessant pressure on our relationship. We have, for the sake of ourselves and our families, decided to part ways amicably. I have the greatest respect for David as a man, a husband, a father and a political leader, and I always will. As this current chapter in our lives comes to an end, it is with the fondest reassurance that we begin a new chapter marked mutually by a deep and close friendship. We ask all to respect our privacy and that of our children.”

Williams lost the governor’s race last year to Gov. Steve Beshear even after Robyn Williams’ stepfather spent several million dollars to fund a super PAC benefiting Williams. But relationships within the family didn’t appear to be strained — at least outwardly. David Williams spent his birthday earlier this summer with Robyn and her parents on Lake Cumberland.