Beshear appoints Williams as circuit judge

KyForward Staff Report

Gov. Steve Beshear on Friday appointed Senator David Williams to fill a Southern Kentucky circuit Judgeship, bringing to an end one of the more contentious rivalries in Kentucky’s embattled state government.

David WIlliams

Williams will vacate his senate seat in one week, Friday, Nov. 2, to assume the seat of former Clinton, Cumberland and Monroe Circuit Judge Eddie Lovelace, who passed away unexpectedly Sept. 17 of an apparent stroke brought on by what his family believes was fungal meningitis contracted from a steroid injection.

“The nominating commission representing lawyers and citizens in the 40th judicial circuit considered all the applicants for the position of circuit judge.” Beshear said in a statement released by his office Friday.

Steve Beshear

“The commission chose three people who met the rigorous criteria for serving in that position, including knowledge of the law and of the community. I am appointing Senator David Williams to this judgeship effective Nov. 2. Senator Williams is an experienced lawyer and is familiar with the district, having represented the area in the legislature for more than 20 years.”

The brevity of Beshear’s comments is further evidence of the curt relationship between the two men.

Williams, a Republican from Burkesville, was first elected to Kentucky’s 16th District senate seat in 1987, serving as Senate President since 2000. His years in the senate have been marked by staunch opposition to senate democrats and Beshear, largely fueled by Williams’ stonewalling of the Governor’s efforts to bring expanded gaming to Kentucky. Williams dealings with previous Kentucky Democratic Governor Paul Patton were also less than cordial.

Williams will serve the remaining two years of Lovelace’s term and has said he plans to run for re-election in 2015.