Westerfield to chair powerful committee

The chairman of the state House and Senate Judiciary Committees will both be from Hopkinsville when the General Assembly convenes in January.

The Senate Republican Leadership team appointed Third District Senator-elect Whitney Westerfield as chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee Friday. Westerfield was the only rookie senator to receive such a leadership position.

Republicans also re-appointed Senator Bob Leeper of Paducah as chairman of the Budget Committee. Leeper is an independent, but caucuses with the Republicans.

State Representative John Tilley of Hopkinsville has served as Judiciary Committee chair in the House since being elected six years ago.
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12/08/2012/am