ELECTION 2019: Mers, Bowman make cases for state treasurer

There are two Democratic candidates running for state treasurer in the primary -- Michael Bowman and Josh Mers.

Mers is a Simpson County native who was raised in Bowling Green while Bowman hails from Jefferson County.

Allison Ball is the incumbent state treasurer. She is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Bowman said the reason he is running is accountability.

"I am from Jefferson County and I am a lifelong Kentuckian. Strong union family. My father worked for the postal workers for 40 years.

"The reason that I am in this race is very simple -- accountability," Bowman said. "We need to bring accountability back to Frankfort."

Mers said those who hold statewide offices have a "moral obligation to speak beyond what the statute tells you to do -- because you know what? Statue gives you the minimum job description. If you go to work and you only try to achieve the minimum job requirements, you're not going to do anything for your employer … so you've got to see what you can do more."

"Step outside the box and let me tell you what you can do. As the treasurer, you are the chief financial officer of this Commonwealth. You're the chief economic ambassador, so why aren't you using that office to stand with our next governor, our new governor, because it will not be this one -- and standing with them to set the economic agenda for Kentucky."

Bowman touted his experience as a reason for why he would be a good state treasurer.

"My background is from working in local government in Louisville as well as managing a bank. I have financial experience to be able to come in on Day 1 in the treasurer's office and understand the problems we face and advocate for you, for your tax dollars, where your tax dollars go," he said.

Bowman was also critical of Ball.

"She would rather take your tax dollars and give them to charter schools rather than to your public schools so that those for-profit organizations can tell you which kids they want to teach," he said.

Mers said he agreed with Bowman in that Kentucky needs to properly fund public eduction, adding that public schools are the "great equalizers."

"It doesn't matter what part of this city, what part of this county or what part of this state you live in," Mers said. "Public education can lift you up, and we ought to have people that believe in it, that are products of it, that live on it day by day."

Mers added that the Democratic Party must do more than criticize the other party if it wants to win in November.

"We can't just say that (Gov. Matt Bevin) is a reckless governor, that he's bad. Because if we keep recycling those messages, what's going to happen? We're going to lose again," he said. "We gotta give folks a reason to believe in us, a reason to vote for us, remind them that we are the party that will fund public education, that will rebuild our infrastructure, that will balance our budget and will do it without bankrupting this Commonwealth."