R. J. Palmer

Ralph Joe Palmer II (born December 25, 1970) is an American politician from the state of Kentucky. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the Kentucky Senate from September 19, 2001, to January 1, 2015. Palmer was the minority leader of the Kentucky Senate from January 4, 2011, to January 1, 2015.

R. J. Palmer
Minority Leader of the Kentucky Senate
In office January 4, 2011 – January 1, 2015
Preceded by	Ed Worley
Succeeded by	Ray Jones II
Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 28th district
In office September 19, 2001 – January 1, 2015
Preceded by	Dale Shrout
Succeeded by	Ralph Alvarado
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 73rd district
In office January 1, 1999 – September 19, 2001
Preceded by	Drew Graham
Succeeded by	Don Pasley
Personal details
Born	(1970-12-25) December 25, 1970 (age 54)
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Winchester, Kentucky

Palmer is from Winchester, Kentucky. He was first elected to the house in 1998 when incumbent representative Drew Graham retired to run for Judge/Executive of Clark County.^[1] He served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from January 1, 1999, through September 19, 2001, and served in the Kentucky Senate from 2001 until he was defeated by challenger Ralph Alvarado and replaced in 2015.^[2] His senate district included Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Harrison, Montgomery, Nicholas counties.