Bob Leeper | |
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Judge/Executive of McCracken County | |
In office January 5, 2015 –January 7, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Van Newberry |
Succeeded by | Craig Clymer |
Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 2nd district | |
In office January 1,1991 –January 1,2015 | |
Preceded by | Helen Garrett |
Succeeded by | Danny Carroll |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert J. Leeper December 8,1958 |
Political party | Independent (2005–present) |
Other political affiliations | Republican (1999–2005) Democratic (before 1999) |
Residence | Paducah,Kentucky |
Alma mater | Paducah Community College Sherman College of Chiropractic |
Profession | Chiropractor |
Website | www.lrc.ky.gov/... |
Robert Joseph Leeper (born December 8,1958) is an American independent politician and chiropractor. He was a member of the Kentucky 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]
Leeper attended Paducah Community College and Sherman College of Chiropractic. [4]
Prior to serving in the Kentucky Senate,Leeper was a city commissioner in Paducah. [5]
Originally a Democrat,Leeper joined the Republican Party in 1999,and became a political independent later in 2005. 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 Senate. [7] He decided against re-election in 2014 and ran for McCracken County Judge-Executive.
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]
In 2020,he was honored with the opening of the Bob Leeper Bridge,a 110-foot pedestrian bridge in McCracken County. [3]