In KY, Leeper decides

AP:

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.

A court hearing is scheduled Friday on whether Stephenson should continue as a senator.

The GOP has solid control of the Senate, but would need to keep both Leeper and Stephenson to have a "super-majority" needed to pass constitutional changes. In odd-numbered years, super-majorities are also needed to pass budget and tax measures.

Leeper earlier said he would resign, but reconsidered because he did not want to leave his district without representation. He said on WHAS-AM radio that his objection is not with the party itself, but with the way Senate Republicans conducted business.