Irv Maze

Democratic Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson moved quickly to fill the Jefferson County Attorney vacancy, today appointing the rumored frontrunner to the position, former judge and assistant county attorney Mike O'Connell.

O'Connell takes over for Irv Maze, who was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) to a circuit court judgeship.

The timing of Maze's appointment - and the creation of the County Attorney vacancy - came under fire yesterday as the move occurred two days after the passing of the candidate filing deadline. Had Maze left office on Tuesday or before, another candidate could have filed to run for the county position and forced a special election.

With O'Connell's appointment today - past that deadline - no other candidates are eligible to file. Without an election, O'Connell will hold the County Attorney office until at least 2010.

Gov. Steve Beshear's (D-Lexington) morning appointment of Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze to a circuit court judgeship has already provoked ire from local Republicans, given the timing of the announcement of Maze's new post.

As a new circuit court judge, Maze leaves a vacancy in the Jefferson County Attorney's office that will now be filled by an appointee selected by Metro Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson - a Democrat. If Maze's appointment had occured two days earlier, however, Tuesday's candidate filing deadline would not have passed, and a Republican entrant could have forced a special election for judicial post.

Jefferson County Republican Party Chair Brad Cummings denounced the move as manipulated to avoid the election.

"There is no doubt this was orchestrated by the Abramson and Beshear administrations and is another example of Mayor Abramson going over the heads of the voters so that he can place his cronies into office," said Cummings in a statement today. "When given the option of either allowing the people to choose or making decisions behind close doors, Jerry always goes with his own self interest."

Jefferson County Attorney Irv Maze, of Louisville, was named to serve as a Circuit Court Judge for Kentucky's 30th Judicial District, Division 10, by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) this morning.

A three-term County Attorney, Maze ran for Lt. Gov. on a ticket with former Treasurer Jonathan Miller (D-Lexington) in 2007 before they suspended their bid prior to the Democratic primary and endorsed the eventual winning ticket featuring Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard).

Miller also was appointed to a position in the Beshear administration, taking the reins as Secretary of Finance.

Maze was already the only candidate who had filed for the judicial vacancy, which opened up upon the death of Judge Kathleen Voor Montano.

48th District House candidate David Watson (D-Louisville): Politicker photo

Businessman David Watson (D-Louisville) entered the race for Kentucky's 48th state House District as a political novice in a long-time Republican area. With some prognosticators predicting Republican struggles across the country, and with his family history and business background, Watson speculates he could put up a winning fight against sixteen-year incumbent and Minority caucus chair Bob DeWeese (R-Louisville).

Watson comes from a unique bloodline that he says resonates with many in the district. His father, Merle Watson, was a Democratic Party activist who Watson notes worked as "Ronald McDonald" in Kentucky, contributing to the growth of Ronald McDonald House charities in the area. Watson says his father's legacy in the community has led to support from voters and party insiders.

In an interview with PolitickerKY.com, Watson argues he can build upon this foundation to connect with voters with a more "moderate" approach informed by his long history in the private sector, pushing zero-based budgeting and modernization in Frankfort.

"I embrace technology, I embrace innovation, and I want to look at different ways of doing things and seeing the best way to do it," said Watson.

Along those lines, Watson also discusses a unique approach to fundraising, pitching events that "give value" to the donor's dollars.