One of the stranger post-election developments anywhere — outside of the Washington governor’s race, that is — centers on a candidate for the Kentucky State Senate. I don’t know if this is of interest to those outside of Kentucky, but I found it incredible.
Dana Seum Stephenson, a Republican, ran for the Senate seat despite obvious eligibility problems. Kentucky law says senators must live in the state for least six years before taking office. Stephenson moved to Kentucky four years ago. Kentucky law also says senators must be at least 30 years old. Stephenson is 23.
Sounds like a no-brainer, right? She doesn’t meet residency requirements and a state judge ruled that Stephenson obviously was ineligible. Nevertheless, Stephenson stayed on the ballot and narrowly won on Election Day, 51 to 49 percent.
The State Board of Elections recognized the problem and certified Stephenson’s opponent, Democrat Virginia Woodward, the winner. Woodward even took the oath of office two weeks ago.
Then the Republicans in the Kentucky Senate intervened.
The Republican candidate in a disputed election was sworn in Friday as the newest member of the Kentucky Senate, even though a judge ruled she did not meet the state’s residency requirements. One GOP senator threatened to resign in protest.
[…]
Brushing aside [eligibility] concerns, the Republican-dominated Senate swore in Stephenson and defeated along party lines a committee’s recommendation that Democrat Virginia Woodward be declared the winner of the Louisville district.
Senate President David Williams said he was confident the Senate had the power to determine its own membership.
“No court in the land could overturn that,” he said.
Completely bizarre.
The GOP stunt has led one Republican state senator to leave the party in disgust.
A state senator whose party switch 5 1/2 years ago helped the GOP take control of the chamber said Wednesday he will leave the Republican Party over its actions in a disputed election.
Sen. Bob Leeper said he will register as an independent later this week, becoming the lone independent in the General Assembly and the first since 1984.
His protest came after Senate Republicans voted to seat the GOP candidate who received the most votes in a Jefferson County election in November, even though courts have ruled Dana Seum Stephenson did not meet constitutional residency requirements.
The consequences of Leeper’s departure could have consequences. Republicans have the majority in the chamber, but need Leeper and Stephenson to have what amounts to a filibuster-proof supermajority. With Leeper gone and Stephenson obviously ineligible, the party’s in a bit of a jam. No wonder they’re willing to ignore state law.
A court hearing is scheduled Friday on whether Stephenson should continue as a senator. I’ll let you know what happens but I have a hunch Stephenson won’t be successful.