Jack Conway

Conway overwhelmingly wins - 61% to 39%

Candidate for: Attorney General of Kentucky
Election Date: November 7, 2007

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The Candidate

Jack Conway, 38, is the Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Kentucky. In 2002, Jack waged one of the country's most watched bids for the United States Congress and despite being heavily outspent, Conway nearly knocked off a three-term incumbent member of the Appropriations Committee. Conway lost narrowly, 51%-49%, but remained active in his community and state.

Jack served for six years as Deputy Secretary of the Governor's Executive Cabinet and Legal Counsel in the office of Governor Paul Patton. He helped lead the state on many of the issues most critical to Kentucky's future. Jack worked closely with legislators to craft comprehensive school safety legislation in 1998 and was a leader in formulating the 1997 higher education reforms that helped establish the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville as two of the country's leading research universities.

During his time in Frankfort, Jack also played an important administrative role. He served as deputy chief operating officer for Kentucky State Government - a job in which he helped coordinate the activities of the 14 executive branch cabinets and provided policy direction to the state agencies that employ more than 33,000 people full time with a $12 billion budget. Today, Jack continues his commitment to public service, serving on the board of the Louisville Library Foundation. He was also formerly involved with the boards of the Muhammad Ali Center and the African-American Heritage Museum.

Conway holds an undergraduate degree in public policy studies from Duke University and spent a semester abroad at Cambridge University. He graduated with honors from the National Law Center at George Washington University and while in Washington, D.C., worked in the U.S. Attorney's office on criminal justice issues and for the House Banking Committee.

Jack Conway is running on his record of accomplishments during his tenure in the Patton Administration. In this race, the main issue involves making the office relevant again. An Attorney General's position has classically been non-partisan, however, with pardons issued by the last Attorney General to the Governor, the office has been maligned and in bad need of a confidence boost. With the following initiatives, Jack Conway will restore the public's confidence in the Attorney General's office.

Internet Security: One of the most pressing issues for law enforcement nationwide is the policing and protection of the internet. Conway has made this issue the mainstay of his campaign by pledging to create an Internet Safety Task Force.

Drug Abuse: Kentucky has one of the worst Methamphetamine and Oxycontin problems in the nation. Conway has consistently talked about bringing new technologies to the state to better enforce penalties and crimes related to drug abuse.

Environmental Protection: Protecting the environment is new territory for Attorney Generals across the nation - but a necessary one. Conway has been talking about environmental issues since he ran for Congress in 2002 and he has pledged to protect the majestic spirit of the Bluegrass state.

The Race

Perhaps due to Kentucky's reputation as a political bellwether, much has been made of Kentucky's leftward shift back 'home' to the Democratic Party. Today, despite the fact that Kentucky's Democrats outnumber Republicans 57.8 percent to 35.7 percent in voter registration, Kentucky Republicans have used social wedge issues highly effectively to become the dominant party in Kentucky over the past 15 years. Party identification means far less in Kentucky than it does in most states, however, now the political climate is ripe for Democrats. Kentucky Democrats are enthusiastic for candidates with a progressive message.

After running extremely close in one of Kentucky's most hard-fought congressional districts in an unfavorable Democratic year, Jack Conway has proven himself to be a formidable candidate who understands what it takes to run a tough race. Conway has already built himself a considerable political following in Louisville and statewide.

Challenging Conway is Stan Lee, a State Representative who has climbed the ranks to become Majority Whip. Lee faced a tough primary battle against Tim Coleman, a Republican County Attorney hailing from Morgantown. After solidifying a ten-point victory in a four-man field, Lee advanced to the general election with a battle-tested field organization.

Consisting largely of veterans from Kentucky's various culture wars, Lee's volunteer base is primed and energized. During Fancy Farm, a must-attend Kentucky political event, Lee was the only Republican able to muster a considerable presence, thanks due to his volunteer base and rabid conservatism. While Governor Fletcher will have to rely on voters to turn out to vote with him based on the dynamics of the race, Lee can claim staunch support among the pro-life, arch-conservative community that will turn out to vote for him. His campaign has been run on this strategy and he will hope to bring those voters out during the election. By nearly all accounts, Stan Lee is a Republican ideologue that gained his reputation by staking an obstinate position on all Republican wedge issues, from abortion to gay marriage to religious issues.

Working in Conway's favor is the fact that the Democratic coordinated campaign is up and running and has been making voter contacts throughout the state. The campaign is making nearly 100,000 new contacts via doors and phones each week, the benefits of which will surely trickle down to Conway.

Conway possesses all of the tools necessary to ascend the political ranks. He is young and with good energy, and is clearly capable of grasping both issues of electoral politics and successful governance. What Conway needs now is more buzz that can help assure the voters of Kentucky that not only is he their best option in this race. A CNM endorsement in this race can do much to accomplish that.

The 2007 election could mark a sea-change in Kentucky politics. CNM pushes for its members to get involved in this race because of its magnitude would help the Kentucky Democratic Party rebuild its base and return to prominence in the Bluegrass state. Jack Conway will make a strong Attorney General, an effective leader, and CNM should do everything possible to help him win this race in its closing weeks.

Why CNM Supports Jack Conway

Kentucky deserves an Attorney General who will work to protect Kentuckians. Just as importantly, the voters of Kentucky should have an Attorney General who actively seeks solutions to the toughest issues facing the state. The state is at an important crossroads as its voters are beginning to embrace progressive values and Jack Conway not only grasps these changes, but has run a successful campaign promising to fulfill on those values.

Jack Conway represents a new breed of progressive Democratic leaders who are driven by their commitment to the common good and belief that our biggest problems can be solved by bringing people together. He understands how to connect people to politics through grassroots engagement and is committed to innovation in public policy. His initiatives regarding Internet security and environmental protection are based in values that will ultimately lead him to higher office.

Young and with bold vision, Jack Conway will help transform the Attorney General's office and make it relevant again to Kentuckians. Please join CNM in the last weeks of his campaign by giving to the Conway for Attorney General Campaign.

Support Jack Conway for Attorney General of Kentucky

CNM is proud to endorse Jack Conway for Attorney General of Kentucky. We encourage you to give him your support as a member of Campaign for a National Majority.

Attn: Michael Fertik

Campaign for a National Majority
251 W. 89th St. #7D
New York, NY 10024