Democrats’ thin majority in the Kentucky House of Representatives just narrowed further with the promotion of prominent Hopkinsville Rep. John Tilley.
As House Judiciary Chair, Tilley oversaw negotiations on a wide range of high-profile bills dealing with heroin, dating violence protections, and other pressing issues in the commonwealth. Gov. Matt Bevin cited that experience in his decision to tap Tilley for the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary position.
And while the move adds another Democratic voice to the governor’s inner circle, it also brings Republicans one seat closer to gaining control of the House. Asked by cn|2 a month ago about rumors of possible defections and appointments eating into the Democrats’ majority, House Speaker Greg Stumbo dismissed the idea.
"We hear it all the time. Now I can tell you that the ones I've talked to personally, several of them... it's not true. So I don't believe it's going to happen," he said.
Talking with reporters Thursday, the speaker was on the defensive. Noting that neither representative had contacted him about the decisions, Stumbo said, “When I was raised up — Mommy always said, ‘usually when you’re afraid to talk to somebody and tell them what you have done — you done wrong.’”
With Tilley’s appointment and Rep. Denny Butler’s recent switch to the GOP, Democrats now hold a 52-47 lead in the House.
Update (4:08 PM): State Rep. Darryl Owens has been named the new House Judiciary Chairman.
