BY KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The race for governor next year has already grabbed several headlines as multiple candidates announced their intention to run the past few months, but now candidates are starting to trickle in for some of the other races for statewide office.
What You Need To Know
- Candidates are beginning to file for down-ballot statewide office races
- Over the weekend, Kentucky State Treasurer Allison Ball filed to run for Kentucky State Auditor
- Lexington business owner Andrew Cooperrider is seeking the GOP nomination for treasurer
- No Democrats have filed to run for statewide office outside of the governor’s race yet
“It’s similar work in a lot of ways, because it is that watchdog role,” she said. “It is an oversight role, but it is a deeper dive.”
The two offices deal with Kentucky’s finances in different ways — the treasurer as a watchdog over state dollars as they’re spent and the auditor as a watchdog over how the money is spent after the fact — and because you can’t serve more than two terms in any statewide office, Ball said the auditor’s job is the logical next step for her.
“I think people know that I’m good at fiscal matters. I really believe in fiscal responsibility,” she said. “I am a limited government person, so I like to make sure that we’re using taxpayer dollars well, that we’re efficient, and I think whatever side of the aisle you’re on, that resonates with people.”
So far, Ball is the only candidate to file for auditor.
Only one other person has filed to run for Ball’s current office so far as well: Lexington business owner Andrew Cooperrider is seeking the GOP nomination for treasurer.
“I don’t think there’s going to be another candidate like me,” Cooperrider said. “And I think it’s going to provide a real choice for Republicans as far as what direction they want this office to take.”
Cooperrider said he knows how to maintain a checkbook as the owner of Brewed Coffee Shop.
He’s also been active in politics as of late, protesting against COVID restrictions early in the pandemic while playing a role in the legal fight.
Cooperrider ran for a state Senate seat earlier this year, and Senate Republicans spent a lot to keep him from unseating incumbent Sen. Donald Douglas (R-Nicholasville) in that race. Despite the politics surrounding his previous campaign, Cooperrider said he has a good relationship with the party.
“As long as we can respect each other’s differences, without saying that one body deserves not to speak while another one does, the party has a bright future with a lot of people in it,” he said.
17 people total have filed to run for office in 2023, not including Ball, and 13 of them want the governor’s job.
Former U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman, a Republican, is the only candidate for Attorney General right now. Current Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said in May he will consider running for Attorney General.
Current state Rep Richard Heath (R-Mayfield) and former GOP state Rep. Jonathan Shell are the only two men seeking the Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner job.
No Democrats have filed to run for statewide office outside of the governor’s race yet, but Kentucky Democratic Party chairman Colmon Elridge said discussions are ongoing with potential candidates.
“Our leaders continue to talk with potential candidates who share our values of supporting public education, expanding access to quality health care and creating good-paying jobs for our people and we will have a strong slate next November,” Elridge said in a statement. “Meanwhile, Kentucky Republicans are lining up for nasty, expensive primaries that will drive their party further to the extreme and more out of touch with Kentuckians.”
