Jonathan Miller (politician)
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Jonathan Miller (b July 24, 1967) is a politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is the 36th and current State Treasurer of Kentucky, elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. He is currently running as a Democrat for Governor of Kentucky in the 2007 election with Irv Maze as his running mate for Lieutenant Governor.
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[edit] Biography
From Lexington, Miller graduated from Henry Clay High School, and Harvard University and Law School. Jonathan is married to Lisa Miller, and has two daughters, Emily who is 13, and Abigail who is 10.
[edit] Early political career
Miller began his career in politics as the national director of 'Students for Gore' in 1988 while still in college, when then senator Al Gore was running for President. He later worked for Gore when he was Vice President in the Clinton Administration [1] [2]. In his first campaign for elected official Miller lost a primary bid for Kentucky's 6th congressional district in 1998 to Ernesto Scorsone. In 1999 he was elected State Treasurer and was re-elected in 2003.
[edit] Kentucky gubernatorial run
On December 14, 2006, Miller announced his intentions to run for Governor of Kentucky with, Jefferson County Attorney, Irv Maze as his running mate. He is one of seven democrats seeking the nomination.
[edit] Sideburns challenge
Raising a few eyebrows a fundraising method for Miller's campaign has been dubbed "The Great Sideburns Debate," [1] which was started due to an article by John David Dyche of the Louisville Courier-Journal that stated, "Treasurer Jonathan Miller sports perhaps the longest sideburns on a gubernatorial candidate since the Seventies...the 1870s." Miller's campaign shot back calling it, "The lowest blow in political history",[3] and saying Dyche 'hit' Miller, "where it hurts the most...his sideburns."[4] In response Miller's campaign invited donations of $18.70 and $19.70, for whichever era of sideburns the donor preferred.
[edit] Campaign finance disclosure
On February 23 the Miller-Maze campaign revealed their campaign finance summary 90 days prior to the primary, and nearly two months prior to the mandated 32-day mark currently set for the first financial disclosure deadline in the race. This is in accordance with an earlier pledge to disclose finances at the 90 and 60-day mark and to strive for transparent governance.[5]
[edit] Video blog
On March 2 Miller's campaign unveiled a video blog on their campaign website becoming the first and only campaign in the race to do so.[6][7]
[edit] Political views and advocacy
While it is still before the Democratic primary Miller has set out some general issues he plans to take on as governor.
[edit] Healthcare
The Miller-Maze campaign advocates incentives for use of biotechnology, especially in farm crops. They also advocate the use of e-health initiatives to assist in reducing medical mistakes and reduce unnecessary testing in hospitals by requiring a card carrying all patient information.[8][9]
On March 5 Miller's campaign unveiled a plan to bring universal healthcare to Kentucky, and heavily fund cancer research and treatment, in recognition of Kentucky's high rate of cancer, within his first term. Funding would come through, "expanded gaming, cost-savings realized through reforms, and cutting waste and abuse in the state's Medicaid system by streamlining bureaucracy...Building coalitions of government agencies, private business, civic groups and faith-based programs will also be critical. [10]
[edit] Environment
Miller states he will make Kentucky the "clean energy capital of the world through the development of zero-emissions clean coal and bio-fuel technologies to harness energy from Kentucky agriculture and natural resources." He is also critical of Mountain top removal, a common and controversial coal-mining method in Eastern Kentucky calling for its reform.[11] He has also advocated LEED certification for all future government buildings.
[edit] Education
Miller advocates a program entitled Cradle to College which he has supported with Republican secretary of state Trey Grayson.[www.cradletocollege.ky.gov] It is analogous to a savings bank account in which the state makes a investment in, with the opportunity of relatives or outside companies to make contributions to specific students. It the student to later pay back the state via community service or military service.[12]
[edit] Labor
On February 16, 2007 the Miller-Maze campaign sent a letter to major labor leaders lambasting legislators for 'stripping down' a major minimum wage bill reform, stating that they would introduce a full minimum wage increase that would be implemented within the first 100 days of governorship.[13]
[edit] Books authored
Jonathan authored the book "The Compassionate Community,"[2] a book that examines religious , particularly Judeo-Christian, values, and how they relate to politics. Former vice-president Al Gore wrote the foreword. The book received good reviews from senators such as Evan Bayh and Joe Lieberman, as well as many religious leaders.[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Kentucky State Treasury, Jonathan Miller
- Follow the Money - Jonathan Miller 2003 campaign contributions
- Vote Smart Project - Jonathan S. Miller (KY) profile
- Miller-Maze for Governor and Lt. Governor 2007 official campaign site
| State Treasurers of the United States | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AK: Bill Corbus (R)* |
HI: Georgina K. Kawamura (R) |
ME: David Lemoine (D) |
NJ: Bradley Abelow (D) |
SD: Vern Larson (R) |
| *No treasurer in this state; closest equivalent listed | ||||
