Jerry Abramson is resigning as Kentucky's lieutenant governor to become Deputy Assistant to President Obama and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House.
Governor Steve Beshear announced Abramson's resignation, effective November 13, Thursday at the state Capitol.
“This is a bittersweet moment for me and for our administration. Jerry and I have been friends for more than 30 years, and I chose him as my Lieutenant Governor because I knew that his extensive experience as longtime mayor of Louisville, his contagious enthusiasm and his knack for building momentum around new ideas would make him a great partner in leading our state,” said Gov. Beshear. “But the White House noticed all those skills, too, and realized that he will take those same gifts and put them to work on our nation’s domestic agenda. He will be an outstanding addition to the President’s administration, and we will miss him terribly.”
Abramson will serve as a liaison to state and local governments.“The challenges that face America’s local communities – such as workforce training, education, infrastructure investment, shrinking budgets, affordable housing, public transportation, and emergency response – are the issues that I’ve worked on for more than 30 years in local and state government. I’m honored to be in a position to help this country’s mayors, county executives, governors and other local officials tackle these issues and work to find innovative solutions,” said Lt. Gov. Abramson.
Governor Beshear has named former State Auditor Crit Luallen as the state's new second-in-command. Luallen has spent decades working in Kentucky's executive branch. She will be sworn into office in a private ceremony on November 13, the date of Abramson's resignation. Luallen will be publicly sworn-in during a ceremony November 14 in the Capitol Rotunda.