Democrat Kimberly Greenwell remembers exactly when she decided to run for public office. Following a serious 2007 automobile accident, which Greenwell described as a “life-changing experience,” the 32-year-old advertising sales executive said the idea of giving back to the community through elective office simply came to her.
A year or so later, Greenwell, who at one point had considered enrolling in a masters program in political science, found herself involved in a conversation with several Jefferson County Democratic Party leaders about who should run for the city's 33rd House District seat. Someone recommended that she get in the race, and Greenwell agreed.
"We saw the numbers in the district and knew how past candidates had performed," Greenwell said. "We knew if we had a good candidate, it would be winnable."
Now, some two years after deciding to try her hand at electoral politics for the first time, Greenwell has focused her sights on a formidable opponent in Republican state Rep. Ron Crimm. The seven-term lawmaker disposed of his two most recent Democratic opponents in 2004 and 2008 by margins of 10,220 votes and 7,257 votes, respectively.
And the 33rd District in northeast Jefferson County, which is home to 18,129 Republicans and 16,072 Democrats, is one of only three legislative districts in the county's 26-member state legislative delegation with majority-Republican registration numbers.
Crimm, 74, was first elected to the House in 1996 and is one of 35 Republican members in the Legislature's lower chamber, which has a total membership of 100. The career insurance executive currently serves as vice-chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, and said he's already walking precincts in preparation for next year's race.
"I think 'party' doesn't really mean anything. I think I've done a pretty good job of getting things for my district," Crimm said of his tenure in the House. "Everything that I have gotten, people seem to agree with my voting."
One issue that may spark disagreement between the two candidates is expanded gambling. Greenwell supports it and said she will vote for legislation to approve it, citing the potential economic benefits for the district and the city of Louisville in general by way of Churchill Downs.
Crimm voted against House Bill 2, the expanded gambling bill that passed the House during this summer's special session, and said he has voted against similar bills in committee on three other occasions. However, Crimm said he might be open to a constitutional amendment on the issue, which would require public approval.
Despite HB 2's defeat this summer, gambling legislation made it farther than it ever has, and Gov. Steve Beshear and Democratic leaders undoubtedly will keep the issue alive and at the forefront of voters' minds next year.
That effort could lead to an uncertain electoral environment for Crimm and other anti-expansion incumbents who represent districts that might benefit from gambling and now face opponents who actively are campaigning in favor of it.
Crimm said his focus next year would be on tax reform and other ideas for crafting a balanced budget during the 2010 legislative session, including exploring the possibility of a one-year budget cycle. One of the legislature's main priorities, he said, will be replacing the one-time federal stimulus money utilized last year to plug future-year shortfalls, which already have been forecast.
Crimm also said he believes his legislative track record is strong, citing work delivering funds over the years for E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park and various road and capital projects in the district. He also noted his work as part of the 18-member state Unemployment Insurance Task Force, which the governor created in March to review the current system and consider changes that would enable it to generate sufficient funds to cover the large number of unemployed Kentuckians.
Greenwell, for her part, plans to be a voice for improved funding for education and economic development issues, which she said require more out-of-the-box thinking. She cited the current economic crisis as a major concern, and said she intends to work closely with United Parcel Service and other employers to attract new jobs to the district.
As for her chances of knocking off a 14-year incumbent, Greenwell said her political views match up better with 33rd District voters and that old-fashioned fieldwork would put her over the top next November.
"I believe that some of his feelings about key issues just don't match up with the district," Greenwell said. "Ron Crimm is a very nice man, but he's been there for a long while now."
brian simpson #317273
thu nov 19 2009
at 8:51 pm
·
Why is it ok that Rep Crimm has to go because of his length of service but Ms Greenwell seems to think that Rep Larry Clark who has been in Frankfort for over 27 years and done nothing but harm to this state..deserves to stay?
Kentucky Gazette