KY Senate Democratic caucus elevates Chambers Armstrong to whip role
Kentucky Senate Democrats have tapped Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, to serve as their No. 3 member of leadership.
Chambers Armstrong will make history as the first woman elected to Kentucky Senate Democratic leadership.
“Sen. Chambers Armstrong has quickly established herself as one of the most diligent and forward-thinking lawmakers in Frankfort. Her work ethic, her deep command of complex policy, and her commitment to Kentucky families make her an extraordinary choice for this role,“ Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, said in a statement.
“We are proud to elect her and even prouder that she is making history.”
The five-member caucus elected Chambers Armstrong to replace former state Sen. David Yates as senate minority whip. Yates was recently appointed to replace the late Bobbie Holsclaw as Jefferson County clerk, overseeing the largest county in Kentucky’s elections.
Democrats are at historic lows in both chambers.
In the Senate, Yates’ departure reduced the caucus from six to five of the 37 current senators. Earlier this year, Eastern Kentucky Sen. Robin Webb switched her affiliation from Democrat to Republican.
A special election is being held to fill Yates’ seat, which leans Democratic but has been contested by Republicans in years past, on Dec. 16. Some early voting is already underway.
That race pits two military veterans against each other: Democratic nominee Gary Clemons is squaring off against GOP nominee Calvin Leach, who lost to Yates by nearly 21 points in 2024.
Chambers Armstrong was first elected to the Senate in 2022. She has won some plaudits from Republicans, who regularly limit bills from the opposing party. Her crusade to eliminate the sales tax on diapers has moved in recent legislative sessions, but has not made it to final passage.
Prior to running for office, Chambers Armstrong wrote a book titled “Hill Women,” chronicling her background in Madison and Owsley counties as well as her time at Harvard University and Yale Law School.
“I am honored to serve in this role and to continue fighting for Kentucky families. Our commonwealth is strongest when every voice is heard, and every community has a seat at the table. I will work every day to support families and communities throughout Kentucky,” Chambers Armstrong wrote in a statement.
Chambers Armstrong joins Neal, who was first elected in 1988 and is the longest-serving member of the Senate, and Senate Caucus Chair Reggie Thomas, D-Lexington, in leadership.
On the House side, Democrats also saw a shakeup in their leadership ranks. With Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, stepping down from leadership, Lexington Rep. Lindsey Burke moved up to fill his number two spot and Louisville Representative Joshua Watkins replaced her as minority whip.
Meanwhile, Republicans in the statehouse have not announced any changes in leadership and are not slated to hold leadership elections until the end of next year.
