Alessi’s second tier of KY races this year

The Herald-Leader’s Ryan Alessi today followed his top 10 list of Kentucky races this year from Monday with a second tier that includes the race for the 13th District seat in the Kentucky House. 

Incumbent Democrat Jim Glenn is being challenged by Republican Ben Boarman in the 13th this year in Boarman’s first political contest. The 13th District includes most of the city of Owensboro.

Boarman will be hosting Secretary of State Trey Grayson for a fundraiser tonight in Owensboro, and has been trying to overcome what is his biggest challenge at this point – name recognition. 

Glenn, a former city commissioner who is seeking a second term in the Kentucky House, brought in Gov. Steve Beshear for a fundraiser this summer, and was leading Boarman in fundraising through the last reporting period.

Unfortunately, the two have not had a chance to meet each other for a debate, and likely won’t before Nov. 4. They were scheduled to both participate in the Red, White and Blue Picnic last month, but that event was cancelled. 

The next round of campaign finance reports is due this week, so we’ll see what’s happened to that fundraising gap then. 

Here’s Alessi’s quick take on the 13th – 

Democratic Rep. Jim Glenn of Owensboro was one of the few freshman Democrats to draw a re-election challenge. To win a second term he must get past Ben Boarman, an Owensboro businessman who owns commercial and residential real estate as well as a bar and pawn. The district, however, is heavily Democratic and has been voting that way in recent elections.

Boarman taps Grayson for fundraiser

Republican Ben Boarman, who is challenging state Rep. Jim Glenn this year in the 13th District, said Friday Secretary of State Trey Grayson will be headlining a fundraiser for him next month.

Boarman, an Owensboro businessman in his first political race, said Grayson will be in town Oct. 7 for the event at the home of Jim Henry, the owner of Tri-State Mailing Systems.

Boarman said several weeks ago that he had surpassed $20,000 in campaign cash after ending the last reporting period on June 30 with about $11,000. Glenn had more than $20,000 through the close of the last reporting period.

Glenn has since held a fundraiser that brought Gov. Steve Beshear to town along with House Speaker Jody Richards and state Treasurer Todd Hollenbach.

Grayson has been active campaigning for Republican candidates, and is routinely discussed as a potential candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 or governor in 2011.

Boarman made his pitch to the Republican faithful Friday at the opening of the party’s campaign headquarters in Owensboro, and targeted Glenn, though not by name.

Glenn won the 13th District seat, which represents most of the city of Owensboro, two years ago by beating Joe Bowen, a local businessman who was in his first term in the state House. That seat had been held previously by Brian Crall, another Republican who went on to serve in the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

“Two years ago we lost the seat and we lost the pride,” Boarman said. “We deserve a state representative that produces, not just promises. … Owensboro deserves more.”