A former GOP state Senate candidate who was blocked in one race by Republicans in the Senate is seeking a statewide post as Kentucky Treasurer.
Republican Andrew Cooperrider, defeated in the May primary for a state Senate seat, announced that he is seeking the open seat for Kentucky Treasurer, the Lexington Herald-Leader first reported.
Cooperrider is promising to “crush corruption” as the Treasurer.
“Given my long track record of standing up for Constitutional rights, fighting government overreach, and forwarding conservative fiscal policies, I believe I am the right person for the job,” Cooperrider wrote on his social media on Saturday.
The Lexington coffee-shop owner refused to close for in-person dining early in the pandemic and has some prominence in the Trump-portion of the GOP as he attempted to impeach Gov. Andy Beshear.
He was seeking to run for the state Senate in the 12th District this year before GOP lawmakers redrew the maps for their favored candidate, placing Cooperrider in the 22nd Senate District. The Liberty-wing Republican then challenged incumbent Sen. Donald Douglas in the 22nd District. He lost to Douglas in the May primary.
The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) president, Dr. OJ Oleka, is signaling a run for office next year. Current Treasurer Allison Ball is term-limited in the post.
Jan. 6, 2023, is the last day to file nomination papers for candidates who must run in a primary. The primary elections will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
