The Secret Election: Lexington's 75th District (Kathy Stein's Seat)

August 3, 2008 by BlueGrassRoots

Dear Lexington Democratic Voter:

On Wednesday, August 6th there will be a vitally important state representative vote for the 75th district in Lexington. This might come as a surprise to you as you are not part of it.

The 75th District runs from 6th Street on the north side of downtown out Versailles Road and over to Tates Creek. [MAP LINKED BELOW]

*What's at stake? (Or: a bunch of confusion made simple)*
The 75th District seat has opened up because Kathy Stein has vacated her position. Ms. Stein will be running this fall for the State Senate office previousy held by Ernesto Scorsone.

Kathy Stein has served the 75th well. This district encompasses the heart of Lexington, from downtown through the city's progressive core. The Democratic voters of this community have formed the backbone of the fight for local ownership of water, the fight for equal rights for gay and lesbian couples, and the battle to preserve Lexington's downtown.

There are three major candidates running for Ms. Stein's seat. One supports blowing up mountains, one supports blowing up buildings, and one supports everything you agree with.

(AFTER THE JUMP: What you can do!)

*How to have your say in this democratic process*
This is not your regular primary election. Because Ms. Stein has vacated her seat so late in the campaign season, the Democratic Party instituted special rules.

This election will be determined by your precinct delegates. Unlike the "super" delegates of this presidential season, your precinct delegate WILL LISTEN TO YOU.

This Wednesday, August 6th, delagates of the 75th District will gather at Memorial Hall on the UK campus to select a candidate for this fall's election. This meeting will be open to the public, but only the delegates will be allowed to ask questions of the candidates.

Your job is to make your delegates represent you. Contact them. Give them your questions for the candidates. Let them know who you support. [DIRECTIONS BELOW]

*The Major Candidates (age/profession)*
Kelly Flood, 49, Minister

Foster Ockerman, 57, Lawyer

Alison Lundergan Grimes, 29, Lawyer

*But wait, who the hell are these people?*
Alison Lundergan Grimes has not only been endorsed by Shelby Joe Lucas of the "Clean Coal" lobby but also by Joe Rosenberg. Mr. Rosenberg sold the soul of downtown Lexington for a moronic hotel development. The "clean coal" lobby supports mountaintop removal.

Kelly Flood is a minister at Lexington's Unitarian Universalist Church. She has been endorsed by a host of the 75ths most upstanding citizens, including former mayor Pam Miller, former city council member Debra Hensley, and community activist Steve Kay.

Ms. Flood was a prominent leader in the local movement to control the city's water company. She was a powerful opponent of the gay marriage ban, the same bill Mr. Ockerman reportedly voted in favor of. And unlike Mr. Ockerman, when asked about her stance on CentrePointe, Ms. Flood responded openly. She wrote:

"This is yet another example of leadership gone missing. The public good is not served by a closed-door process, an uninspiring building design, and by the heart of our city being demolished in the dead of night. I'm saddened and angry over the whole mess. My only solace is the transparent process, engaging ideas and imaginative buzz afoot for the Distillary District."

*What You Can Do*
Contact your precinct delegates. Their names are below. They are leaders in this community and you likely either know them or can find them in the White Pages.

Their vote takes place this Wednesday, August 6th, at Memorial Hall on the UK campus. Do not wait for the meeting to contact your delegates -- contact them now. Forward this message to your friends and encourage them to contact their own delegates.

Our vote this November is based on their vote this week. The democratic process is an open one but if your delegates do not hear from you then this November you may be forced to choose between a Democrat who does not represent your values or a Republican.

You can give your delegates questions to ask these candidates and you can lobby your delegates to vote for one candidate over the other.

This is the Democratic Party. It is your party and you have the final say, if you want it. There is a clear choice here: there are three major candidates.

One has been endorsed by the CentrePointe and mountaintop removal lobbies.

Another has voted to constitutionally outlaw gay marriage and lobbied for the demolition of downtown Lexington.

And the third, Kelly Flood, has stood up against the ban on gay marriage, has stood up for the local ownership of water, and is appalled by the current corporate developments of our downtown.

The choice is ours, but we must make it.

We don't want more CentrePointes built or mountaintops removed in the Democratic Party's name.

This is our party and these delegates vote with us.

Signed,
David M. F. Schankula
david [dot] schankula [at] gmail [dot] com (david [dot] schankula [at] gmail [dot] com)
Willie Davis
iamwilliedavis [at] gmail [dot] com (iamwilliedavis [at] gmail [dot] com)