Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor says he may announce his intentions regarding a run for governor before or shortly after the August 3rd Fancy Farm Picnic. Jerry Abramson has served as Kentucky’s Lieutenant Governor since 2012 and previously served as Louisville Mayor for 21 years.
Abramson is one of a number of democrats discussing a run for the office including term limited Attorney General Jack Conway and former State Auditor Crit Luallen.
Abramson says current polls show he could win a race for Governor, but he’s undecided on whether or not to run.
“I’m going through this yes, no, up down,” said Abramson. “If you’re going to spend a year and a half hour to raise $15 million and once you win the question becomes can you really be a transformational public servant and make a significant difference in the future of Kentucky? That’s what I’m thinking through.”Abramson has been championing comprehensive tax reform for the last year without any movement in the legislature. He is hopeful the legislature will take up 54 recommendations from his Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform during the 2014 legislative session. Lawmakers will craft a two year budget during the 60-day session.
Abramson doesn’t expect any political fallout from his work on tax reform which, if adopted collectively, raises more than $650 million annually from new and increased state taxes. Abramsons says the commission also recommended cuts to existing taxes.
