Mike O'Connell

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.