Posted November 3rd, 2009 6:04 am

For 2010, the current leading contender for the honor of hardest working candidate has got to be Louisville resident and 38th District Democratic candidate Marty Meyer. The man filed his letter of intent on April 3, 2009, and appears to have been present at every gathering of more than five people in Jefferson County since that date.

Meyer of course is part of the front line in the battle for the Kentucky State Senate. Meyer is running against Democratic betrayer Dan Seum. Seum and other senators joined forces with David Williams 10 years ago to flip the state senate to the Republican column. Of the five senators who threw in with Wililams, Seum is the only one still standing and left with the Republican Party, although Bob Leeper caucuses with them. Seum is facing defeat in 12 months. By aligning himself against the horse industry, and Churchill Downs, which is a huge part of the district he is supposed to be representing, Seum has finally gone beyond a defensible position, at the exact instant that he has a tireless opponent.

Seum has been physically recoiling in public events when he realizes he is sharing the stage with Meyer, and becomes almost disoriented. It appears that David Williams and Damon Thayer are the only Republicans who are unaware of the apocalyptic consequences unfolding by the Republicans’ attack on the horse industry.

Meyer has a decidedly blue-collar approach to electioneering. He recently sent out a fundraising letter that was at first glance unexceptional. November 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the BBC Taproom, at the corner of Main and Clay Streets. But look at the minimum suggested contribution – $20. That could be a first, as far as minimum suggested amounts. It is a dramatic contrast to the McConnell/Williams big-moneyed interests. And while out of state casinos are heavily bankrolling candidates to oppose the horse industry’s effort to bring expanded gaming across the Ohio River, the Kentucky horse industry has finally awoken, and will likely make finances a fair fight. Beyond finances then, the ground game of volunteers becomes critical, as does the retail-campaign work of meeting voters. On that front, Marty Meyer will knock Seum back. And in fundraising, despite the low-dollar approach, Meyer raised $41,000 in his first quarter, and is on track to top $60,000 by the end of November.

The background on Meyer:

Marty Meyer has served as Congressman John Yarmuth’s District Representative since the Congressman first assumed office in January, 2007. Marty was also heavily involved in the Yarmuth campaign beginning in January, 2006 and has a strong family history in public service. His great uncle served as a State Representative from 1954 till 1971 and his father, Danny Meyer, served as an Alderman in the 1970’s and then served 5 terms in the State Senate before retiring in 1994. Marty hopes to continue this tradition of public service by bringing to the constituents of the 38th Senate District what he has helped Congressman Yarmuth bring to the people of the 3rd Congressional District…open accessible representation for all. Marty will be challenging Senator Dan Seum, an elected official who seems to be more interested in partisan Frankfort politics than truly representing the citizens of Jefferson County.

Finally, John Yarmuth wrote of Meyer:

I am not only pleased, but excited, to support Marty Meyer’s campaign
for the Kentucky Senate. It is rare that someone with as much passion
for public service offers himself for office, but Marty, day in and day
out, demonstrates his love and concern for his fellow citizens with
unsurpassed enthusiasm.
It has been a great honor for me to work alongside Marty for the third
Congressional district, and I can attest from personal experience to
his dedication, persistence, and commitment to improving the lives of
all Kentuckians. I know he will be a thoughtful, progressive, and
compassionate voice in the Kentucky General Assembly.
We have an unusual opportunity to dramatically upgrade the collective
competence and wisdom of the Kentucky Senate by electing Marty Meyer in
2010. I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of
Kentucky with Senator Marty Meyer, and I heartily endorse his candidacy.
John Yarmuth
U.S. Representative

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