Downard To Run For Mayor (Louisville, KY)

A Louisville newspaper | March 22, 2005 | A Louisville newspaper

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Downard to run for mayor

The Courier-Journal

Former Metro Council president and Republican caucus chairman Kelly Downard announced today that he will run for mayor of metro Louisville against popular incumbent Jerry Abramson.

Downard, 58, who represents District 16 in eastern Jefferson County, held a press conference this morning to officially announce his candidacy.

Downard, the president and CEO of Louisville Real Estate Development Co., an affiliate of the Louisville Community Development Bank, said Louisville has fallen behind neighboring cities such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Nashville and is in "desperate need of new leadership."

"If the head coach had been losing that long, we would have called for a new coach long ago," Downard said.

Abramson announced in January that he would seek a second term as mayor of the newly formed metro government. His current term expires in January 2007.

Abramson served three terms as mayor of the old city of Louisville and is eligible for two more terms as metro mayor.

No other candidates have announced they will run for mayor.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Kelly Downard is a great guy. He probably can't win this race, but he knows that. I don't think he has to give up his Metro Council seat though. And, if he makes a good enough showing, it should set him up great for mayor in 2010 or Congress if Anne Northup were to retire.