This week, Kentucky’s Republican Senate President attacked Democratic Governor Steve Beshear… for appointing too many Republican judges. It all started when Gov. Beshear reached across the aisle and nominated Republican Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly to a vacant judgeship. Rather than congratulating their colleague on his success, Republican leaders threw a temper tantrum:

Beshear said he named Kelly because he was the most qualified of three finalists selected Friday by the nominating commission. (…)

But Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, released a statement that called the move “just another play in the governor’s full-court press to enable gambling interests to influence elections.”

There you have it. In this political era, it’s almost expected that Republican legislators will behave obnoxiously toward their Democratic counterparts. But in Kentucky, apparently, they’ll be equally obnoxious toward their fellow Republicans just to take a cheap shot at a Democratic governor.

How utterly classless – with that kind of reaction, it’s no surprise Kelly took the judgeship instead of sticking with the Senate Republicans. He probably made the right call.

Kelly’s seat will be filled by a special election on December 8th, along with Democrat Robin Webb’s House seat (left vacant after Webb won another special Senate election). Kentucky Democrats have already won two Republican Senate seats in special elections this year, and the party is optimistic about its chances in Kelly’s 14th District. A victory would cut the Republican margin to 19-18-1, with one Independent caucusing with Republicans.