By Kathy Groob, Publisher

While not exactly history making, it is big news that Kentucky has two women serving in statewide, constitutional, office at the same time.  Thanks to an appointment by Governor Steve Beshear (D-Dawson Springs), former Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker assumed the office of Secretary of State on Saturday, January 29, 2011.  Walker joins the two-term State Auditor, Crit Luallen (D-Frankfort) as the second female currently holding a statewide office.

Following his defeat in the Kentucky Republican U.S. Senate primary last spring, former Secretary of State Trey Grayson recently accepted a position at Harvard University, which created the sudden vacancy in the secretary of state’s office.  “This constitutional office is too important to the citizens of this state to allow any delay in appointing a new leader,” said Gov. Beshear.  “Therefore, I am excited to announce that Elaine has accepted this position and agreed to bring the skills and commitment she has shared with the people of Bowling Green to Frankfort.  I am confident that she will be an excellent leader for our state.”

Kentucky is one of the few states to hold elections for governor and statewide offices this year.  New Secretary of State Elaine Walker faces a challenge by another woman in the Democratic primary that will be held in May.

The last time Kentucky had more than one woman serving in statewide office at the same time was in 1983.  That’s when Kentucky’s only female Governor, Martha Layne Collins, served along with Mary Ann Tobin, State Auditor, and Frances Jones Mills served as Treasurer.  The first time Kentucky had two women serving in statewide office was in 1930 when Ella Lewis was Secretary of State and Emma Guy Cromwell was Treasurer.

Kentucky currently ranks 41st in the nation for women in political office and currently 18% of its state lawmakers are women.

*Thanks to Paul Whalen for providing the historic information.  To learn more about Kentucky history, visit his website by clicking here.