Robert J. "Bob" Leeper (born December 8, 1958) is an American independent politician and chiropractor. He was a member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1991 to 2015 retiring to run for McCracken County Judge-Executive.[1][2] In 2014, he was elected Judge-Executive of McCracken County, but chose not to seek reelection in 2018.[3]
Education
Leeper attended Paducah Community College and Sherman College of Chiropractic.[4]
Political career
Prior to serving in the Kentucky State Senate, Leeper was a city commissioner in Paducah.[5]
Kentucky State Senate
Originally a Democrat, Leeper joined the Republican Party in 2000, and became a political independent later in the decade. Leeper has been described as an "ultra-conservative independent", and was known in the legislature for his opposition to expanded gambling.[6] In 2012, he mounted an unsuccessful candidacy to serve as president of the Kentucky State Senate.[7] He decided against re-election in 2014 and ran for McCracken County Judge-Executive.
Judge-Executive of McCracken County
In 2014, Leeper was elected Judge-Executive of McCracken County.[8] In 2018, he faced criticism over the termination of Paducah Economic Development president and CEO Scott Darnell, and issued a statement saying he would not answer questions about the matter.[9] He did not seek reelection in 2018.[3]
Honors
In 2020, he was honored with the opening of the Bob Leeper Bridge, a 110-foot pedestrian bridge in McCracken County.[3]
References
- ^ "Bob Leeper". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Robert 'Bob' J. Leeper's Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ a b c Farrell, Kelly (September 12, 2020). "City, county formally open Bob Leeper Bridge". The Paducah Sun. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ "Senate District 2: Senator Bob Leeper (I)". Kentucky Legislature. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
- ^ "Kentucky State Senator Announces Retirement". WKU Public Radio | The Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University. October 1, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ Ellis, Ronnie (October 6, 2013). "Acting on principles, conscience rare in politics". Richmond Register. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ "Bob Leeper, an Independent, Makes Case to Be Next Kentucky Senate President". WKU Public Radio | The Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University. November 22, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ "Bob Leeper Wins McCracken County Judge-Executive Office". WKMS. November 5, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
- ^ Snow, David B. (September 12, 2018). "Official ducks questions about firing of economic development director". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
External links