Kentucky's 2015 Democratic State Treasurer Primary

Kentucky's 2015 Democratic State Treasurer Primary

For Treasurer, Democrats will have to figure out if they like Neville Blakemore, Jim Glenn, Daniel Grossberg, Richard Henderson, or Rick Nelson the best.

Most Kentuckians do not know any of the Treasurer candidates, and so Kentucky's media should work on informing Kentuckians of who the candidates are for State Treasurer.

State Treasurer is an open office because the incumbent has exhausted his 2 term limits. Kentucky's State Treasurer makes $116,000 per year.

Here's 200 years of history of Kentucky's State Treasurer's position: http://www.treasury.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/33B8669A-F05C-4C5D-B78B-37AC53F39C5C/0/Ky_Treasury_BicentennialHistory17921992.pdf

Kentucky's State Treasurer's duties include

-managing the state's depository

-making records of all monies due and payable to the state

-processing warrants from the Finance and Administration Cabinet

-making payments on behalf of the state

-filing an annual report on all state money.

Kentucky has had a treasurer since it became a state in 1792, but there's been talk in recent years of abolishing the office and giving its duties to the Finance Cabinet. http://www.kentucky.com/2015/03/16/3750735_jack-conways-gift-to-one-of-five.html?rh=1

It's important to note that one of the 3 Republicans running for Kentucky State Treasurer is only running in order to abolish the office (Jon Larson).

If Jon Larson wins, then he's going to quit immediately after being sworn in. http://www.kentucky.com/2015/02/07/3683058_kentucky-state-treasurer-defends.html?rh=1  

Neville Blakemore

Jim Glenn

Daniel Grossberg

Richard Henderson

Rick Nelson

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Neville Blakemore is a chairman of Great Northern Building Products. Great Northern Building Products sell construction products.

Neville Blakemore has raised more than $200,000 for the May 19 Primary by making more than 1,800 phone calls. $1,000 was given to Neville Blakemore by Jack Conway http://www.kentucky.com/2015/03/16/3750735_jack-conways-gift-to-one-of-five.html?rh=1. Jack Conway vowed to give donations to all Treasurer candidates after this story broke, to avoid being seen as endorsing one Treasurer candidate over the other.

Neville Blakemore defends the Treasurer's state office, saying that it shouldn't be abolished, but instead, it should stay independent, so they can hold other politicians accountable. http://blakemorefortreasurer.com/

For Neville, the real potential for Treasurers would be as a watchdog. Blakemore said comes from the boards the State Treasurer sits on, including the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System and the Kentucky Lottery.

“These boards are big collectively. They have billions of dollars of assets under management. The revenue of the lottery alone is some $850 — $900 million a year in revenue” ~Blakemore

Because of him making 1,800 phone calls, Neville Blakemore says he's the hardest working candidate in the race. He has an intensity of effort. Blakemore also brags about his “clarity of vision”.

The idea of the treasurer as a watchdog — The idea of infusing authority of the office into the boards. And then just entrepreneurial spirit to get things done,” Neville Blakemore said. http://mycn2.com/politics/democratic-treasurer-candidate-neville-blakemore-says-he-will-not-be-outworked

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67 year old Jim Glenn is a current State Representative, representing the 13^th District as a Democrat.

The 13th district includes a part of Daviess County, and all of Owensboro. 

Jim Glenn has been representing District 13 for 8 years now, and will continue to be there until January 1, 2017. Jim Glenn served as Owensboro City Commissioner from 2005-2006. Glenn got his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from Wisconsin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Glenn

Here's a whole bunch of positions Glenn has taken: http://votesmart.org/candidate/58223/james-glenn-jr#.VQlTm_nF_Vo

Jim Glenn is in favor of raising the minimum wage, and to prohibit smoking in public places statewide.

Jim Glenn cites wanting to teach financial literacy as a reason for his state treasurer campaign.

“I’ve spent my career in the classroom teaching students how to start and run a business and how to better handle their personal finances. As a state representative, I sponsored The Kentucky Financial Literacy Commission Bill (HB 233) which passed in the House 94-0 on February 7, 2014, which would have made financial literacy mandatory in Kentucky schools,” Glenn said. “As state treasurer, I will use the office as a platform to make sure our families and children have the financial literacy background that they need to succeed.” http://ballotpedia.org/James_Glenn,_Jr.

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Daniel Grossberg

President of Louisville Young Democrats

Daniel Grossberg is the best candidate for Treasurer in the Bluegrass. Grossberg is a Young Democrat, honest, intrepid, and won't compromise his Progressive values. On Twitter, Grossberg describes himself as "Bold progressive fighting for economic, environmental and social justice." 

A bold progressive... in Kentucky? Sign me up! 

Also, Jack Conway, after giving $1,000 to Blakemore, vowed to give all of the Treasurer's candidates donations... BUT Grossberg's campaign. 

So the only person who isn't beholden in the Democratic primaries to Conway would be Daniel Grossberg... all the rest would be sycophants. How is Blakemore going to be a "watchdog" when he's already bought and paid for by the person who he is supposed to watch!?! 

Daniel Grossberg, a true blue Progressive, who will remain steadfast and loyal to the Kentucky people, is the only clear choice for the State Treasurer of Kentucky.

Donate to his Act Blue account here: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/38747

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Richard Henderson was a former Democratic Representative in Kentucky's lower House of Commons. 

“(Gov. Steve Beshear) and I are not on good footing. I am against gaming, and that’s why the governor and I are not very good friends. I am the old-style Democrat, the Blue Dog Democrat. I am pro-life and pro-gun. I am for what is just and right. I am not a radical religious guy, but I believe you must have moral standards. I am a conservative Democrat,” Henderson summarized. … “I do plan on being governor one day. I have lofty goals. My father asked me what I wanted to do in life, and I told him that one day I was going to be a state representative and I made it. Then, I decided to move my goal up and I will be a grass roots governor some day,” he said. … Henderson already has a campaign slogan for a future run for higher office. “Just remember — H20 — Henderson in 2020. I want to be in statewide office in 2020. That’s my goal.” http://pageonekentucky.com/2010/08/25/richard-henderson-for-governor-in-2020/ http://pageonekentucky.com/2010/08/25/richard-henderson-for-governor-in-2020/

"Former state Rep. Richard Henderson, a Mt. Sterling Democrat who lost his re-election bid for state House, says he will enter the Democratic primary for state treasurer as a “blue-collar candidate.”

The 43-year-old Henderson says his eight years in the legislature and four years as mayor of Jeffersonville give him a leg up on the other contenders in the Democratic primary for treasurer, which grows by the day. Henderson was also caught on camera during his House re-election bid affirming he had attended cockfights,something he says was taken “out of context,” though Henderson said the statement was “a mistake.” “I admit it was a mistake,” he said, adding that he meant to make a statement about limiting the number of felonies citizens can be charged with. He is a former Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing District 74. Henderson was first elected to the chamber in 2006, and served until 2014 when David Hale, Republican, beat him. Richard Henderson has served as Mayor of the city of Jeffersonville. Richard Henderson's professional experience includes co-ownership of C&H Block and Concrete." http://mycn2.com/politics/former-rep-richard-henderson-to-run-for-treasurer-in-crowded-primary-field

Here's Richard Henderson on the issues: https://votesmart.org/candidate/58267/richard-henderson#.VQlYQ_nF_Vo

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Rick Nelson, a current Democratic House Representative, a Democrat from Middlesboro, is counting on his past and geographical location in the state in a five-way Democratic primary contest for state treasurer. Rick Nelson represents the 87th House District in Frankfort, which includes Bell County, and a part of Harlan County.

Rick Nelson faces well-funded Louisville businessman Neville Blakemore; Rep. Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro; Daniel Grossberg, president of the Louisville Young Democrats; and former Democratic Rep. Richard Henderson of Mt. Sterling in the May 19 primary.

“It’s a rich man’s game for either party,” Rick Nelson said. “That’s one advantage that I don’t have, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

“One millionaire running — no matter what money you have you’re going to get covered up anyway,” Rick Nelson said.

Still, Nelson thinks he has a chance in what will by all accounts be a sparsely attended primary. He’s relying on three bases to propel him to the Democratic nomination: eastern Kentucky, retired state school teachers, and organized labor.

“If you can get that, you might not need a single dollar,” he said. http://mycn2.com/politics/nelson-relying-on-his-roots-in-democratic-primary-treasurer-s-race 

Nelson is a retired school teacher from eastern Kentucky, and is a strong backer of organized labor in the state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zELsfJVc0sA&t=25

https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/18796/rick-nelson#.VQlnV_nF_Vo