A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Osborne sworn in as KY House Speaker Pro-Tem; other Republicans assume majority leadership roles


The 2017 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly convened today, January 3, for a short session that will end on March 31. For the first time since 1921, the House of Representatives will be led by a Republican majority.

Osborne

Osborne

Rep. David Osborne, R-Prospect, was sworn in as Kentucky House Speaker Pro-Tempore during the first day of the 2017 Regular Session in Frankfort. To mark history, Rep. Osborne represents the first-ever Republican to serve in the role of Kentucky Speaker Pro-Tempore.

“I am extraordinary grateful for the opportunity serve alongside my colleagues as the first-ever Republican Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Kentucky House of Representatives,” said Osborne. “The historical significance of being elected to this leadership role by my peers from both parties is quite humbling. I am honored to serve and hope to create a lasting legacy for future leaders. We are charged with great responsibilities, and we will work hard to make Kentucky a more prosperous place to live and work.”

Rep. Osborne was first elected to represent District 59 (part of Oldham County) in the Kentucky House in 2005. In 2016, he was Vice Chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee and the Licensing and Occupations Committee, and served on the Agriculture & Small Business Committee and the Tourism Development & Energy Committee.

As Speaker Pro-Tempore, Rep. Osborne joins Speaker Jeff Hoover as a Constitutional Officer.

Rep. David Meade, R-Stanford, was sworn in as Kentucky House Majority Caucus Chairman. Rep. Meade represents the first-ever Republican to serve in the role of Kentucky House Majority Caucus Chairman.

Meade

Meade

“I’m excited to get to work in the new Republican House Majority,” said Meade. “It is a privilege to serve as the new House Majority Caucus Chairman. I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues for this position. With our historic new majority, our caucus is prepared to lead the charge to build a more prosperous Kentucky.”

Rep. Meade was first elected to represent District 80 (Lincoln, part of Pulaski County) in 2012. In 2016, he served on the Appropriations & Revenue, Banking & Insurance, Program Review & Investigations, State Government, and Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Safety Committees. Rep. Meade resides in Stanford, and is a realtor and auctioneer.

Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville, was sworn in as Kentucky House Majority Whip today as well. To mark history, Rep. Bratcher represents the first-ever Republican to serve in the role of Kentucky House Majority Caucus Whip.

Bratcher

Bratcher

“It is an honor and a privilege for me to be the first-ever Republican Majority Whip in the history of the Kentucky House,” said Bratcher. “I look forward to working hard on behalf of the people of Kentucky to drive Kentucky’s economy to new heights.”

Rep. Bratcher was first elected to represent District 29 (part of Jefferson County) in the Kentucky House in 1996. In 2016, he served on the Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the State Government Committee, and the Tourism Development & Energy Committee. Rep. Bratcher served as a Sailor in the United States Navy from 1985 to 1991.

Rep. Jonathan Shell, R-Lancaster, was sworn in as Kentucky House Majority Floor Leader during the first day of the 2017 Regular Session in Frankfort, KY. To mark history, Rep. Shell represents the first-ever Republican to serve in the role of Kentucky House Majority Floor Leader.

Shell

Shell

“It is the honor of a lifetime for me to serve as the first-ever Republican House Majority Floor Leader,” said Shell. “The new majority in Frankfort will hit the ground running with a robust agenda to improve the economic well-being of working Kentuckians.”

Rep. Shell was first elected to represent District 71 (Garrard, part of Madison, and Rockcastle County) in the Kentucky House in 2012, as the youngest member of the General Assembly. He was elected by his fellow caucus members to serve as the House Republican Campaign Chairman where he was in charge of overseeing all Republican recruitment for the 2016 House elections.

Rep. Shell is a native of his district and helps run his family farm in Lancaster. He is married to Brooke Shell, and is the father of three young children.

The 2017 Regular Session convened today, and will end on March 30, 2017.

Kentucky Republican Caucus

 


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