Jewish Pol Has Name in Hat for Governor’s Race

Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller told the Forward yesterday that he is “seriously” considering a run for Governor.

Miller, 38, is one of several young-gun candidates that have emerged since the state’s more prominent Dems – including former Gov. Brereton Jones and U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler – have said they plan to sit out next year’s race.

According to Miller, who spoke to the Forward before an address at the National Arts Club yesterday, Kentucky Democrats are currently negotiating in an attempt to unite behind a consensus candidate and avoid a divisive primary race. He expected the decision to come in the next few days.

The eventual Democratic candidate will take on Governor Ernie Fletcher, who in 2003 was elected as the Kentucky’s first Republican governor in 32 years, but has since been plagued by a hiring scandal and low approval ratings.

Miller was in New York to promote his new book, “The Compassionate Community: Ten Values to Unite America,” and said that the trip was cut down from two days to a quick fly-in-fly-out due to the governor’s race negotiations.