Former U.S. Senate candidate Greg Fischer will announce his campaign for mayor in about an hour.
“Louisville is at a crossroads as we consider new directions for the twenty-first century”, Fischer said. “Not only are my sights set on creating an open and diverse culture at City Hall, but I feel the time has clearly come to unleash the potential of one of the most unique cities in America. We must find new ways to harness Louisville’s energy.”
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“I intend to utilize both my business and political experience in serving this city. I will deliver tax efficient, high-quality city services to all our residents in every neighborhood,” Fischer said. “I also understand the critical role Louisville plays as an engine to our state’s economy, and I will be a strong, vocal leader for our community in Frankfort and throughout the Commonwealth.”
Fischer’s website just went live.
We hear through the grapevine that Fischer has already pulled together a campaign staff. But also hear Louisville’s delegation to Frankfort is set to oppose him for having Larry O’Bryan on-hand as part of his campaign team and because his family is supporting Daniel Mongiardo (Greg says he’s remaining neutral). Fischer would be wise to avoid the good old boy political crew if he expects to be taken seriously as a game changer. I’ve met with him (and other candidates) over the past several weeks and he seems to have a great plan. He also seems to have changed his naive ways since 2008. Yes, that’s high praise coming from Page One, ladies.
We also expect Jim King to announce his candidacy later this week. Don’t expect David Tandy to run for mayor. He hinted at this morning’s arena meeting that he’d rather focus on his family.
Note: Updated the story to include a more current photograph of Fischer.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Talkfan // Jul 20, 2009 at 10:44 am
A few thoughts…
I’ve never cared for Jim King, but he is a smart guy and his career and training have been in banking, accounting and finance, so he knows budgets and, as a banker, probably has a pretty good grasp of how to recruit and boost business, which businesses are and are not worth putting forth the effort and incentives to attract, and which deals make sense and which do not. These are the primary skills a mayor needs in any times, and especially now, it seems to me.
Also, he demonstrated last fall with his purchase of a judgeship for his daughter that he’s willing and able to do, say, and spend whatever it takes, and–this is the key, in my opinion–isn’t backed off or intimidated from his goal by criticism, ridicule or hatred directed at him or his family. That was the revelation of last fall: he didn’t let his thin skin cause him to screw up. Rather, he kept his eye on the prize, no matter how ugly things got. And he was willing and able to spend and keep spending. There wasn’t much doubt beforehand, but I think there’s absolutely none now: he has the requisite ruthlessness and relentlessness (and enough money) to get the nomination.
And, once nominated, he will probably be more palatable to the Republican voters of Metro Louisville by the time November rolls around than their own nominee will be.
Personally, I’d rather see a Republican mayor, if only to really blow out all the accumulated partisan deadwood and cronyism of decades of uninterrupted Democratic administrations. Even a “new” Democrat will have to make deals with that crowd and thus won’t be all that “new.” But I just don’t see a Republican who could pull it off…Downard doesn’t seem viable, Kramer doesn’t seem to want it, everybody’s tired of Northup, Thieneman could never play outside his part of town….King’s probably the best the Republicans can hope for.
So, I think Jim King looks like the next mayor of Louisville.
Please somebody persuade me otherwise.
2 Ed Springston // Jul 20, 2009 at 2:23 pm
In the meantime Fischer IMO has not proven himself to be a leader that we need. Yet anyway.
Waiting forever so Jerry could make his announcement, the worst kept secret going for quite awhile, and then using good ole boy political crew right out of the gate shows a willingness to use the same old people for the prize.
We need someone willing to say heck with the good old boy crew and stand alone.
That takes leadership. I am open to Fischer but want to see a real leadership role assumed with outside people.
Time will tell.
3 jake // Jul 20, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Like I said in my other comment, Ed, your side of the story isn’t examining all the facts.
And that’s coming from me – someone who has dragged Katie through the mud. Someone who continues to be a critic of Jim’s.
4 Ed Springston // Jul 20, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Jake no offense but I have examined all the documents and laid out my case and it does, IMO, consider all the facts. King has lawyered up instead of being honest and forthcoming in detail that could have allebviated all of this a long time ago.
You know as I do there is so much to cover everywhere that time is a premium. I would love to have the hours back I have spent on this but until the truth is out, one way or the other, I will continue to dig.
I have not even gotten into the other allegations against him that will come out after this part is over.
And yes I appreciate the fact that you have outlined criticism of King. King is, IMo, the Robert Felner of what is wrong with politics.
5 brian smith // Jul 20, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Greg Fischer is what’s known as a Decent Guy. This may unfortunately place him, in the voter’s eyes, in a class with Tom Owen, whose folksy booksmarts and unbridled enthusiasm failed to arouse Possibility City. Fischer has the entrepreneurial experience to appeal to blue dogs and he ran an unexpectedly fruitful Senate campaign. Too bad Lexington doesn’t get to vote.
I went to high school with Tyler Allen and played varsity soccer with him. He was an extremely talented and aggressive athlete. He can also debate himself out of a hive full of honeybees so he definitely has the stomach for campaigning.
As for Jim King, he once publicly humiliated my mother at an elementary-school PTA meeting. Because she dared to speak out about the jock-ocracy running the school’s agenda. So fuck him.
6 slim // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Fischer may be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but he’s the most boring speaker on the planet.
7 see above. // Jul 22, 2009 at 7:57 am
I worked in Fisher’s campaign for Senate. The things that impressed me most about him was his integrity and his appreciation of the small money grunts like me. He showed real appreciation for our efforts. That is unusual in politics. I am going to be full bore for him in his Mayoral campaign.
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