"History" failed to materialize in the Kentucky House of Representatives Monday, throwing cold water on predictions made by Republican House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover.
Without giving specifics, Hoover intimated last week that a shakeup could be in the works for the chamber and its longstanding but increasingly vulnerable majority on Monday. But the day, which included a special Democratic caucus meeting, ended not with a bang but a whimper as Stumbo confirmed his party's four seat margin remained intact. The speaker had these words to describe his colleague...
"He again today has built upon his legacy. He is the longest serving minority leader in Kentucky's history," he said, with an emphasis on the "minority."
Hoover, meanwhile, likened the GOP takeover to a "marathon, not a sprint" and made it clear to dissatisfied Democrats: the door is always open.
"I just felt like that as of today there would be less than 50 House Democrats on this floor," Hoover said. "So we're still open for those discussions and sharing the frustrations that many of them have shared with us. But we're not focus on that. We're just focused on trying to solve some of these issues and move forward."
While lawmakers are well past the deadline to switch parties, they can become independents or caucus with legislators across the aisle. Republican victories in four special election races this March could bring the chamber membership to a tie.
