Politics

Kentucky Senate Republicans have appointed President Pro Temp Katie Stine as the new legislative co-chair for their chamber as David Williams prepares to depart as Senate president.

The GOP cannot name a new president until lawmakers convene again in January, but current Stine will assume the duties and serve as temporary co-chair of the Legislative Research Commission.

The Republican state senator who is likely to become the next president of the Kentucky Senate says he will be a more inclusive leader should his colleagues make him the successor to David Williams.

State Sen. Robert Stivers, of Manchester, is seeking the post, and the GOP is meeting Thursday to select a new leader.

Many Democrats have been critical of Williams, calling him mean-spirited and vindictive. Stivers declined to comment on that, but says he'll always be willing to talk to lawmakers who disagree with him.

Will the United States ever elect a woman president?

When President Obama — or Mitt Romney — leaves the Oval Office, there will be a handful of highly touted female candidates for consideration as top-of-the-ticket nominees for both major parties.

On the Republican side, the list includes Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Govs. Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Nikki Haley of South Carolina and maybe even Sarah Palin of Alaska.

There are competitive races this year for the U.S. House, but five of Kentucky's six races have heavy favorites the week before the election. 

The Sixth

This rematch between Democratic Rep. Ben Chandler and Republican attorney Andy Barr was suppose to be easier for Chandler than the 2010 campaign, which he won by less than 700 votes.

But the campaign has turned nasty over coal issues and independent polling has been non-existent. Both campaign claim they are ahead and will win on Nov. 6.

Former President Bill Clinton has endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Shelli Yoder in Indiana’s Ninth District contest.

Yoder is challenging Republican incumbent Todd Young in what has been called as a respectful race. The two recently had their last of two debates.

In a statement, Clinton praises Yoder for her support of an agenda that supports the middle-class and he says that Congress needs fresh voices.

From the Yoder campaign: