Auditor Crit Luallen’s chief advisor and number one political man, Joe Meyer, is leaving her staff to become Policy Director in the Beshear-Mongiardo Administration. Meyer, many will recall, was ousted from the Kentucky Democratic Party’s State Central Executive Committee for leaking confidential information via the paid-for Bluegrass Report. Controversy aside, Meyer is a decisive and skilled political mind.
Meyer is the second high-level Luallen staffer and confidant to leave in as many weeks. We were the first to report Communications Director Jeff Derouen is leaving Luallen to serve as Dan Mongiardo’s Chief of Staff.
With the departure of Meyer a clear signal is being sent to Luallen supporters that she most likely won’t consider a U.S. Senate run– not without her #1 at her side. Could this be the clearing for other candidates to get in the race? Is Luallen giving up the hostage situation? And who will replace Derouen and Meyer?
Thoughts?
UPDATE: Crit’s definitely out. That’s what we hear. We’re just waiting on her announcement.
ANOTHER UPDATE: A reader reminds us that John Cubine, former Director of Finance for the Auditor, left Luallen’s staff in October to join Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry’s staff in the department of Policy & Budget. What’s up with all the high-level departures lately?
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Another reader reminds us that Ellen Hesen was a Luallen staffer. Crit’s former General counsel. She’s moved on to become Steve Beshear’s General Counsel. So four prominent staffers have parted ways with Crit.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Yellow Dog // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Oh, I do love saying I told you so. Horne and Stumbo will announce before Christmas.
2 Freak on a Leash // Dec 6, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Crowley says Nickolas scooped ya Jake!
3 kentuckylucky // Dec 6, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I don’t see that Jake claims this is an exclusive scoop?
But I do see someone who is bought recycling this site’s ideas.
4 Kenton Dem // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Lundergan went after Meyer for posting his opinion on a blog. From what I heard Lundergan made up a charge and succeeded in pushing it through. Most would call it a railroad job. If information discussed at a public meeting in front of the media is confidential then you might make a claim Meyer discussed confidential information. Pretty bogus.
5 anonymous // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:11 pm
nothing was discussed in an open meeting until after Meyer leaked it on bgr
it was all in a private meeting where members signed non-disclosure agreements
6 Kenton Dem // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:19 pm
OK, what super secret stuff are you talking about, Anon 5:11? Or is too classified still to mention? Lol.
7 anonymous // Dec 6, 2007 at 5:21 pm
go read that Gerth story
it was a meeting of the SCEC that was widely talked about on BGR where members signed agreements not to talk about anything and then Meyer talked on BGR
8 Kenton Dem // Dec 6, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Yeah, I read the Gerth story. From what I heard about it, only the finance committee signed non-disclosure agreements. Meyer wasn’t on the finance committee, didn’t attend any of their meetings and didn’t sign a non-disclosure. Meyer attended a public meeting of SCEC which was also attended by a Herald Leader reporter. Meyer gave his opinion on BGR that Lundergan would not resign as chair – as had been rumored – until after he got his debt paid down. This turned out to be an accurate prediction. The whole proceeding against Meyer was a farce and an embarassment to the KDP. But Lundy got his revenge. Good riddance to him. And congrats to Meyer on the new post.
9 Go Andrew Go // Dec 7, 2007 at 12:26 am
Time for the REAL candidate to step forward. Lt Colonel Andrew Horne!
10 anonymous // Dec 7, 2007 at 3:27 am
How long as Meyer known about this job with Beshear? If he has known about this for a few weeks then isn’t it pretty crappy of him to be trying to Draft Crit for Senate knowing full well she doesn’t want it?
11 Kenton Dem // Dec 7, 2007 at 7:53 am
What a load of nonsequitur nonsense, anon 3:27 a.m. If Meyer has known for a “few weeks” he would get a nice position in the new admin, he shouldn’t have been helping his current boss test the waters for a race that “she doesn’t want.” Get some sleep.
Leave a Comment