Ruth Ann Palumbo

Pat Crowley of the Kentucky Enquirer reports state Rep. Arnold Simpson (D-Covington) is expecting a handful of competitors as he vies for the Majority Whip position in the state House.

Though he said his campaign for the leadership position won't start in earnest until late September, Simpson expects any number of possible challengers from among a list of Rick Rand (D-Bedford), Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington), Tom McKee (D-Cynthiana) John Will Stacy (D-West Liberty), and Tommy Thompson (D-Owensboro).

The position is open after current whip Rob Wilkey (D-Scottsville) decided to retire from the state House in early May.

The presidential campaign of Senator Barack Obama announced the formation of the “Kentucky Truth Squad” this morning – a new effort the Obama camp says will help them “combat misleading attacks” from the campaigns of Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton.

The “Kentucky Truth Squad” is composed of Louisville Metro Councilman David Tandy, former State Senator David Karem (D-Louisville), and state Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo (D-Lexington).

“We want to stand up and refute false and misleading claims,” said Tandy. “Kentucky has the opportunity to make a historic choice. We want to make sure the old-school Washington playbook of slash-and-burn politics…doesn’t prevail at the end of the day.”