Kentucky Senator, Julie Denton Of Louisville, Announces She Will Oppose David Williams For Senate Presidency. Read More Below.

Julie Denton to challenge David Williams for Kentucky Senate presidency
By Tom Loftus

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Senate President David Williams is facing a challenge to his leadership position -- which he has held for a decade -- from fellow Republican Julie Denton of Louisville.

Denton said in an interview this week that she will oppose Williams, R-Burkesville, when legislative leadership elections are held next January.

"I am running," Denton said. "I think I offer a different style of leadership and a different way of being president of the Senate, and I think it's probably time for a change."

Denton has served in the Senate since 1995 and is chairman of its Health and Welfare Committee.

Williams, who has served in the Senate since 1987, was first elected president in 2000 when the GOP took control of the chamber.

He said Tuesday that he intends to seek re-election as president and that he does not consider any challenge from Denton as a serious threat.

"I don't think Sen. Denton will ultimately run for president of the Senate," he said. "If she does -- if she has enough votes -- then that will be fine. But I'm not aware of any votes that she has now."

Elections for for legislative leadership posts -- which carry two-year terms -- will be held during the first week of the 2011 session.

The Senate president and president pro tem are elected by the full Senate. Other leadership positions are filled by a vote in the Republican and Democratic caucuses of each chamber.

However, the elections for the chambers' top two posts are usually decided by a vote of the majority party. That's because all members of the majority caucus traditionally vote as a bloc for the winner of the caucus vote -- thus denying the minority party a voice.

Republicans control 21 of the Senate's 38 seats, including one independent who caucuses with the GOP.

Denton, who works for a company that handles dental services for a managed care group involved in the state Medicaid program, said she has told most members of the caucus her intentions.

"I don't think it's a secret, a lot of people know," she said. "I didn't want to say anything prior to us getting a budget last month because I didn't want to throw a snag into that."
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She declined to criticize Williams.

"I'm not being critical or tearing down anyone else. I see that there is a need for change. I think my leadership style and the way I conduct myself would be an enhancement to what's going on in the Senate," Denton said. "And I think it would work very well within our caucus, within our chamber, between the two chambers as well as with the governor's office."

Asked about her chances of beating Williams, she said, "I wouldn't be talking about it if I didn't feel confident."

Williams said Denton had told him she wanted to be Senate president.

"I'm not surprised, and I'm not offended," he said. "People are ambitious on occasion. She didn't express any particular reason to me or any dissatisfaction, she just said that she thought it was time for a change. I haven't heard any other member of the caucus say it's time for a change. And I believe that I have strong -- if not unanimous -- support besides Julie in the caucus."

Some Republican senators said Tuesday that beating Williams will be a tall order. Sen. Tom Jensen, R-London, said Williams' experience and commitment to the job make it a difficult task.

"David rubs some people the wrong way here and there, but he puts a lot of time and effort in it, and I think he's in a strong position," Jensen said. " ... It would be very hard to beat him."

Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said he wasn't sure "how that kind of vote would go, but I'm inclined to vote for Sen. Williams. He's worked well with me."

Sen. Tim Shaughnessy, D-Louisville, said Denton could be find a receptive audience in her message of change. "I think she does have a chance." he said, adding that some senators are upset by the recent budget deadlock that forced a special session and a new road plan that added new projects in the districts of Williams and some other leaders.

Denton said she is only seeking votes from Republican senators and does not intend to try to win the presidency with a minority of Senate Republicans joined by the votes of Democrats.

In January 1997 then-Sen. Larry Saunders, D-Louisville, wrested the Senate presidency from John "Eck" Rose of Winchester by getting the votes of the Republican minority while persuading four other Democratic senators to support him as well.

Saunders' presidency ended when two Democrats switched parties and formed the Republican majority that elected Williams.

Both Williams and Denton say they believe the Republicans will continue to hold the majority after this fall's elections.

In order to run for president, Denton will have to win re-election in November, when she is opposed by Democrat Rick Hiles. Williams is unopposed in the general election.