Kentucky Treasurer election, 2023

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← 2019
Kentucky Treasurer
Election details
Filing deadline: January 6, 2023
Primary: May 16, 2023 General: November 7, 2023 Pre-election incumbent(s): Allison Ball (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voting in Kentucky
Ballotpedia analysis
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Kentucky held an election for treasurer on November 7, 2023. The primary was May 16, 2023. The filing deadline was January 6, 2023. The Democratic primary was canceled after only one candidate filed.

Mark Metcalf won election in the general election for Kentucky State Treasurer.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Kentucky State Treasurer

Mark Metcalf defeated Michael Bowman and Robert Lee Perry in the general election for Kentucky State Treasurer on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Metcalf (R)	57.2	735,522
		Michael Bowman (D)	42.8	549,461
		Robert Lee Perry (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in)	0.0	155

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,285,138
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Michael Bowman advanced from the Democratic primary for Kentucky State Treasurer.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kentucky State Treasurer

Mark Metcalf defeated Andrew Cooperrider and OJ Oleka in the Republican primary for Kentucky State Treasurer on May 16, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Metcalf	51.2	135,451
		Andrew Cooperrider	29.3	77,373
		OJ Oleka	19.5	51,570

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 264,394
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Michael Bowman (D)

Increase Accountability and Transparency in State Government

Improve Financial Literacy

Advocate for Innovative Policy Solutions That Grow Our Economy, Create Jobs, and Save Us Money

Mark Metcalf (R)

I am running for Kentucky State Treasurer to protect Kentucky's revenues and pension funds from being stolen by woke corporations.

I am funning for Kentucky State Treasurer return over $800 million to the rightful owners.

I am running for Kentucky State Treasurer fix the pension problem and assure every County in Kentucky has up to date computer software and hardware to service their systems.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Michael Bowman (D)

Michael will advocate for innovative policy solutions that grow Kentucky's economy, create jobs, and save money, while supporting living-wage jobs and strengthen workers rights. Michael will advocate for creating more revenue streams for Kentucky, including expanded gambling and legalization of cannabis. Additional revenue can help resolve our pension crisis and provide additional resources for critical infrastructure - like our schools - without raising taxes. It would create thousands of jobs and bring a new industry to our economy.

Mark Metcalf (R)

See above.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Michael Bowman (D)

The State Treasurer is the elected Chief Financial Officer for the Commonwealth, overseeing the management of billions in tax dollars and driving policy through critical oversight boards and commissions. As an independently elected office, it is held accountable directly to the people and is critical to ensuring that our state government remains accountable and transparent.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Mark Metcalf (R)

Honesty, integrity, and superior work ethic.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Mark Metcalf (R)

Honesty, integrity, and superior work ethic.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Michael Bowman (D)

Accountability and Transparency for our tax dollars is the primary role of the Treasurer. Having someone with significant local and state government experience, as well as professional training in finance is critical to ensuring that those responsibilities are carried out in an effective way.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Mark Metcalf (R)

Working on the family farm. I worked on the family farm until I was 39 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Mark Metcalf (R)

The March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman The Battle of Midway by Craig Symonds

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Michael Bowman (D)

The accountability of billions of tax dollars cannot be overstated, however, there are incredible opportunities to make an outsized impact on fiscal policy with the management of our investments and pension programs. Ensuring that we are growing Kentucky's economy through proper investment and keeping our promises to the workers who've dedicated their lives to serving our communities is paramount.

Mark Metcalf (R)

Defending state revenues and pension funds from woke corporations.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Michael Bowman (D)

The State Treasurer is an ex-officio member of a variety of boards and commissions that drive policy for the Commonwealth, including critical boards such as the Kentucky Investment Commission and the Kentucky Teacher's Retirement Board.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Michael Bowman (D)

Understanding the responsibilities of this office should come from experiences in a variety of ways, including prior service in government, as well as, private sector experiences that gives you perspective on how to be most effective.

Mark Metcalf (R)

Yes. A background in identification of fraud and computer/cybercrime is very helpful.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Michael Bowman (D)

If elected, I would be the first Treasurer in nearly 40 years that has professional training and education in finance. It is critical to have a Treasurer who understands the intricacies of finance and how to maximize our returns. Also, my significant local and state government experience provides for the unique perspectives necessary to serve our community effectively.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Michael Bowman (D)

KY AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, Planned Parenthood, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, SEIU/NFCO, United Food & Commercial Workers, Laborers International Union of North America, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Communication Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Ironworkers, United Mine Workers of America. Governor Andy Beshear, Congressman Morgan McGarvey, State Representative Charles Booker, State Senator David Yates, Mayor Craig Greenberg

Mark Metcalf (R)

Kentucky Right to Life Northern Kentucky Right to Life (I received its 100 percent Pro-Life acknowledgement

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Michael Bowman

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Michael Bowman is a sixth generation Kentuckian and the proud son of a union home. Service to others runs deep in his family - his father was a postal worker, his grandfathers served in Korea and WWII, and the strong women of his family raised their children to understand the importance of that service – faithful and selfless - to our community. Growing up, Michael was involved in the arts, sports, was a student leader, and worked his way through high school. As Michael worked to complete his degree at the University of Louisville, he became even more involved in his community. He has served in leadership positions – for Parks Alliance of Louisville, and the Southwest Festival Committee – and has worked as an aide at Louisville City Hall and in the administration of Governor Andy Beshear."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Increase Accountability and Transparency in State Government

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Improve Financial Literacy

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Advocate for Innovative Policy Solutions That Grow Our Economy, Create Jobs, and Save Us Money

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kentucky State Treasurer in 2023.

Mark Metcalf

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I am a Kentucky prosecutor and a retired Soldier. I am a conservative Republican and a pro-life and a pro-Second Amendment candidate. I believe in American exceptionalism and will do my utmost to assure American's place in the world and in history."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

---

I am running for Kentucky State Treasurer to protect Kentucky's revenues and pension funds from being stolen by woke corporations.

---

I am funning for Kentucky State Treasurer return over $800 million to the rightful owners.

---

I am running for Kentucky State Treasurer fix the pension problem and assure every County in Kentucky has up to date computer software and hardware to service their systems.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kentucky State Treasurer in 2023.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Kentucky

Election information in Kentucky: Nov. 7, 2023, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Oct. 10, 2023
• By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 10, 2023
• Online: Oct. 9, 2023

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

No

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: N/A
• By mail: Received by N/A
• Online: Oct. 24, 2023

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 7, 2023
• By mail: Received by Nov. 7, 2023

Was early voting available to all voters?

N/A

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Nov. 2, 2023 to Nov. 4, 2023

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

Photo ID

When were polls open on Election Day?

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EST)

Election history

2019

See also: Kentucky Treasurer election, 2019

General election

General election for Kentucky State Treasurer

Incumbent Allison Ball defeated Michael Bowman in the general election for Kentucky State Treasurer on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allison Ball (R)	60.7	856,150
		Michael Bowman (D)	39.3	555,259

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,411,409
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kentucky State Treasurer

Michael Bowman defeated Josh Mers in the Democratic primary for Kentucky State Treasurer on May 21, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Bowman	66.4	218,189
		Josh Mers	33.6	110,354

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,543
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kentucky State Treasurer

Incumbent Allison Ball advanced from the Republican primary for Kentucky State Treasurer on May 21, 2019.

		Candidate
✔		Allison Ball

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2015

See also: Kentucky Treasurer election, 2015

There was a regularly scheduled election for auditor in 2015. Todd Hollenbach (D) was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. The primary election occurred on May 19, 2015, and the general election took place November 3, 2015.

General

Republican Allison Ball defeated Democrat Rick Nelson in the 2015 Kentucky Treasurer election.

Treasurer, 2015
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Allison Ball	60.5%	571,455
	Democrat	Rick Nelson	39.5%	372,416
Total Votes				943,871
Election results via Kentucky Secretary of State

Primary

Rick Nelson was the victor in the Democratic primary.

Kentucky Treasurer Democratic Primary, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Rick Nelson	27.2%	44,397
Neville Blakemore	22.4%	36,663
Richard Henderson	20.1%	32,914
Jim Glenn	19.1%	31,146
Daniel Grossberg	11.2%	18,284
Total Votes		163,404
Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

Allison Ball defeated Kenny Imes and Jon Larson in the Republican primary.

Kentucky Treasurer Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Allison Ball	46.9%	84,516
Jon Larson	30.9%	55,712
Kenny Imes	22.2%	40,039
Total Votes		180,267
Election results via Kentucky State Board of Elections.

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Kentucky treasurer official website