Former candidate for Lt. Governor gets circuit court appointment

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.

The timing of the appointment by Beshear may have benefitted Louisville's Democratic Mayor Jerry Abramson as well, according to WHAS' Mark Hebert.

As Maze leaves the County Attorney position vacant, Abramson is responsible for making an appointment to the post. Hebert reports that by waiting until after this past Tuesday - the filing deadline for the November election - a special election is avoided for the vacancy and Abramson's appointment can serve until 2010.