By Ed Somers
January 17, 2011

Bowling Green (KY) Mayor Elaine Walker will become Kentucky’s Secretary of State in February. Walker is being appointed by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to replace Trey Grayson, who has been selected to be the next director of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. Walker has been a strong member of the Conference of Mayors, serving as a Trustee, Chair of the International Affairs Committee and Past Chair of the Women Mayors. She also is also President of the Kentucky League of Cities.The Secretary of State is one of seven statewide constitutional officers elected in Kentucky every four years. The office oversees the administration of all elections for public office in Kentucky, as well as the incorporation of businesses in the state. The office also maintains records related to the Governor and the General Assembly.

“It is an honor to be selected by Governor Beshear to serve the Commonwealth as Secretary of State,” said Walker. “I pledge to the Governor and to all the citizens of Kentucky that I will perform the functions of this important position in an honorable, thoughtful and dedicated manner. The Office of Secretary of State has special significance to me since it was the first statewide office in Kentucky where a woman, Emma Guy Cromwell, was elected to serve in 1923. I am also pleased to announce my intention to file to run for a full term for Secretary of State.”

Walker is the first mayor in Bowling Green’s history to be elected to two successive terms. She has nearly 30 years of government experience, including positions with two U.S. Representatives and the Los Angeles City Council.

Interestingly, Governor Beshear has also selected former Louisville Mayor Jerry E. Abramson to run as his Lt. Governor candidate this past Fall.