Kentucky Senate


The Kentucky Senate is the upper house of the Kentucky General Assembly. The Kentucky Senate is composed of 38 members elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Senate meets at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort annually beginning in January. Sessions last for 60 legislative days in even-numbered years and 30 legislative days in odd-numbered years.
The Republican Party has had control of the Senate since 1999, currently holding 32 seats, with the Democratic Party holding 5, and 1 seat being vacant. Senators serve four-year terms with no term limits; half of the senators are up for election every second year, coinciding with federal House of Representatives and Senate elections.

Terms and qualifications

According to Section 32 of the Kentucky Constitution, a senator must:
  • be at least 30 years old;
  • be a citizen of Kentucky;
  • have resided in the state at least six years and the district at least one year prior to election.
Per section 30 of the Kentucky Constitution, senators are elected to four year staggered terms, with half the Senate elected every two years.

Leadership

Prior to a 1992 constitutional amendment, the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky presided over the Senate; the 1992 amendment created a new office of President of the Senate to be held by one of the 38 senators.

Leaders

Additionally, each political party elects a floor leader, whip, and caucus chairman.
Current party leadership of the Kentucky Senate:

List of current senators

DistrictNamePartyFirst electedResidenceCounties represented
1Jason HowellRepublican2020MurrayCalloway, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Lyon, Trigg
2Danny CarrollRepublican2014BentonBallard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken
3Craig RichardsonRepublican2024HopkinsvilleCaldwell, Christian, Muhlenberg
4Robby MillsRepublican2018HendersonHenderson, Hopkins, Union, Webster
5Stephen MeredithRepublican2016LeitchfieldBreckinridge, Butler, Grayson, Meade, Ohio
6Lindsey TichenorRepublican2022SmithfieldJefferson, Oldham, Trimble
7Aaron ReedRepublican2024ShelbyvilleAnderson, Henry, Jefferson, Shelby
8Gary BoswellRepublican2022OwensboroDaviess, Hancock, McLean
9David P. GivensRepublican2008GreensburgBarren, Edmondson, Green, Hart, Warren
10Matthew DeneenRepublican2022ElizabethtownHardin, Jefferson
11Steve RawlingsRepublican2024BurlingtonBoone
12Amanda Mays BledsoeRepublican2022LexingtonBoyle, Fayette, Mercer, Woodford
13Reginald L. ThomasDemocratic2013LexingtonFayette
14Jimmy HigdonRepublican2009LebanonLarue, Marion, Nelson, Spencer, Washington
15Rick GirdlerRepublican2016SomersetClinton, Cumberland, Pulaski, Russell, Wayne
16Max WiseRepublican2014CampbellsvilleAdair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, Taylor, Warren
17Matt NunnRepublican2024SadievilleFayette, Grant, Kenton, Scott
18Robin L. WebbRepublican2009GraysonBoyd, Carter, Greenup, Lewis
19Cassie Chambers ArmstrongDemocratic2023LouisvilleJefferson
20Gex WilliamsRepublican2022VeronaBoone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Kenton, Owen
21Brandon J. StormRepublican2020LondonCasey, Laurel, Lincoln, Rockcastle
22Donald DouglasRepublican2021NicholasvilleFayette, Garrard, Jessamine
23Christian McDanielRepublican2012Ryland HeightsKenton
24Shelley Funke FrommeyerRepublican2022AlexandriaBracken, Campbell, Kenton, Pendleton
25Robert StiversRepublican1996ManchesterClay, Jackson, Knox, McCreary, Owsley, Whitley
26Karen BergDemocratic2020LouisvilleJefferson
27Stephen WestRepublican2015ParisBourbon, Fayette, Fleming, Harrison, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson, Rowan
28Greg ElkinsRepublican2023WinchesterBath, Clark, Fayette, Menifee, Montgomery
29Scott MadonRepublican2024PinevilleBell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Letcher
30Brandon SmithRepublican2008HazardBreathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, Wolfe
31Phillip WheelerRepublican2019PikevilleElliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Pike
32Mike WilsonRepublican2010Bowling GreenLogan, Simpson, Todd, Warren
33Gerald A. NealDemocratic1988LouisvilleJefferson
34Jared CarpenterRepublican2010BereaFayette, Madison
35Keturah J. HerronDemocratic2024LouisvilleJefferson
36Julie Raque AdamsRepublican2014LouisvilleJefferson
37Gary ClemonsDemocratic2025LouisvilleJefferson
38Michael J. NemesRepublican2020ShepherdsvilleBullitt, Jefferson

Seating chart

2023 special elections

became the first woman to serve in the Kentucky Senate when in November 1949 she won a special election to replace her husband, J. Lee Moore, in the legislature after his death. Georgia Davis Powers became the first person of color to be elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1967. Gerald Neal became the first African American ever to be elected to a leadership position in the Kentucky General Assembly in 2014. Ralph Alvarado became the first Hispanic to serve in the Kentucky General Assembly when he was elected in 2014.

Standing committees

Past composition of the Senate