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...