Mark Metcalf, long-time Garrard County attorney, elected Kentucky state treasurer
Mark Metcalf has been elected Kentucky’s next treasurer, according to the Associated Press.
Metcalf, the Garrard County attorney, was the Republican candidate for treasurer. He was facing Democrat Michael Bowman, a former special assistant to Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman in the education and labor cabinet. Metcalf received 57% of the votes, and Bowman received 43%, according to unofficial results.
Metcalf celebrated at home with family and friends, then went to the Courthouse Square in Lancaster with Jonathan Shell, who was elected the Commissioner of Agriculture, he said.
“I love Kentucky and I intend to serve it with the same energy and the same alertness that I served as county attorney,” Metcalf said.
Metcalf said he planned to form a team that would be ready to assist Kentuckians with questions on day one, and looking to protect taxpayers and pension funds in Kentucky, while working on a smooth transition from Garrard County Attorney to treasurer. He’ll also start preparing for the general assembly session that starts in January.
He said he also hopes to expand financial literacy programs in schools across the state. Cybersecurity will also be a focus, he said.
“I am overjoyed at this election,” Metcalf said.
Kentucky’s treasurer has several formal bookkeeping roles, including depositing state revenues, monitoring the state’s bank accounts, managing unclaimed property and withholding the proper taxes from state employees. The treasurer also sits on several boards in the state, including those that oversee the Teachers’ Retirement System of Kentucky and the Kentucky Lottery.
Metcalf has a background in law, and has been the Garrard County attorney since 2010 (and previously in the 1990s). He’s also worked in private practice as an attorney and holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army reserve after serving as a judge-advocate. During a debate with Bowman on KET, Metcalf said Kentucky needs to focus on paying down its debts.
Metcalf said his top priority will be to “save taxpayer dollars” in a Herald-Leader survey.
“I believe more needs to be done to save and return taxpayer dollars to the people who paid them,” Metcalf said. “I believe Kentucky’s families are facing challenging times and I am passionate about utilizing this office to help.”
Bowman said he was disappointed at the outcome of the election, and when asked if he would run for another office, said he would “evaluate my next steps.”
“We put everything we could out in the field and it was not enough, but I’m happy to see Gov. Beshear was re-elected and will continue to do the good work to move Kentucky forward,” Bowman said.
Staff writer Linda Blackford contributed reporting.
