Government of Louisville, Kentucky
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Louisville Metro is governed by an executive dubbed the Metro Mayor as well as a city legislature dubbed the Metro Council. The first and current Metro Mayor is Jerry E. Abramson (D), who was also the longest serving Mayor of the former City of Louisville's history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member Kelly Downard (R), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.[1]
The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a Council President, who is elected by the council members annually.
The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a consolidated city-county government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the fleur-de-lis representing French aid given during the Revolutionary War, and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary Austrian typographer Victor Hammer. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.
Kentucky's 3rd congressional district is roughly contiguous with Louisville Metro, and is currently represented by Rep. Anne Northup (R), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the 2nd congressional district, which is represented by Ron Lewis (R).
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