Michael Bowman

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Michael Bowman

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 7, 2023

Education

High school

Holy Cross High School

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Michael Bowman (Democratic Party) ran for election for Kentucky State Treasurer. He lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Bowman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Bowman was a Democratic candidate for Jefferson County Clerk in Kentucky. Bowman lost the general election on November 6, 2018.

Biography

Michael Bowman graduated from Holy Cross High School.He has been affiliated with the Parks Alliance of Louisville and the Southwest Festival Committee.

Elections

2023

See also: Kentucky Treasurer election, 2023

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.
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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.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bowman in this election.

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.

2018

See also: Municipal elections in Louisville, Kentucky (2018)

General election

General election for Jefferson County Clerk

Incumbent Barbara Holsclaw defeated Michael Bowman in the general election for Jefferson County Clerk on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Barbara Holsclaw (R)	52.3	150,060
		Michael Bowman (D)	47.7	137,060

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 287,120 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.

Campaign themes

2023

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released January 5, 2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Bowman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bowman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

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.

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?

• 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

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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?

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

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.

Campaign website

Bowman's campaign website stated the following:

“	Increase Accountability and Transparency in State Government Michael will work to restore accountability and transparency in state government by promoting open and honest governance and working with the legislature to adopt a variety of measures that enhance the public trust, ensuring public officials are accountable for their actions and decision-making processes are open to public scrutiny. State government has a responsibility to be accountable to the people of Kentucky by providing information about their policies, programs, and decisions, and by being transparent about their financial and administrative operations. As one of the original Constitutional offices, the office of the Treasurer plays a significant role in providing checks and balances for the executive branch. Overseeing state accounts and disbursements allows there to be a stop-gap preventing an overreaching Legislature from abusing the power of the Treasury and limiting direct access to your tax dollars. Improve Financial Literacy Financial literacy education can help individuals - especially in underserved communities - make informed financial decisions, improve their financial well-being, and ensure that they are not left out or left behind. In addition, it provides a benefit to our communities by promoting financial stability, reducing inequality, and helping prevent financial crises. Michael will work to fully fund and look to expand financial literacy programs, which can have numerous benefits for individuals, communities, and our Commonwealth as a whole. Financially healthy families will make our Commonwealth stronger. Advocate for Innovative Policy Solutions That Grow Our Economy, Create Jobs, and Save Us Money Michael will advocate for innovative policy solutions that grow our economy, create jobs, and save us money. Michael will advocate for creating more revenue streams for Kentucky, including expanded gambling. 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.	”
—Michael Bowman's campaign website (2023)

2019

Michael Bowman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bowman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

ACCOUNTABILITY

As one of the original Constitutional offices, the office of the Treasurer plays a significant role in providing checks and balances for the executive branch. Overseeing state accounts and disbursements allows there to be a stop-gap preventing an overreaching Governor from abusing the power of the Treasury and limiting direct access to your tax dollars. I will not back away from challenging anyone, regardless of party, to ensure the proper management of public money.

PROTECT OUR INVESTMENTS
The Treasurer is an ex-officio member of many state boards and commissions, including the State Investment Commission and the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
My experience within local government, as well as a bank officer and branch manager responsible for a financial portfolio valued in the millions, I have a unique understanding of the need to protect critical investments along with the skills and ethics to advocate in the best interest of the citizens of the Commonwealth- including driving policies that can build a stronger economy.

LEADERSHIP AROUND INNOVATION

Kentucky needs leaders who are willing to do big, bold things and drive innovation around processes to make it easier for the citizens of the Commonwealth to do business with the government. Investing in new technologies and finding efficiencies in how the Treasurer’s office operates are key first steps in improving the experience.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

STRONG LEADERSHIP and ACCOUNTABILITY
The role of the Treasurer is one that requires a proven leader, who isn't afraid to ask the tough questions, execute to the spirit of the law, and hold the other branches of government accountable. During my time as a Legislative Assistant to the Louisville Metro Council, I developed a keen understanding of the responsibility of oversight through the many investigations into the dealings of Metro Government. Also, as an officer of one of the largest banks in the United States, I have developed first hand knowledge of the skills required to manage a large financial portfolio ensuring growth that benefits everyone.

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

I have in depth experience in the inner workings of local government tempered by the common sense approach of working in the private sector.

My roles within government gives me a unique perspective on how to hold other officers of government accountable, which is likely the most critical job the Treasurer will undertake.

Building partnerships is incredibly important. Working with the other Consitutional officers will be paramount to create an environment of accountability for all branches of state government.

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

I cannot say accountability enough. Maintaining the ethical standards that should be expected of all elected officials and executing the office to ensure that these principles are observed across the government are critical in earning the trust of the people.

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

Management of the Treasury is a vast responsibility. Balancing the state’s check book is just a small part of the puzzle. Being a member of many boards and commissions that manage the states various investments to ensure proper returns is important for the future growth and security of the Commonwealth.

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

The ability to build partnerships and have requisite experience in the oversight functions of the government are critical to the Treasurer’s success. I have had that experience working in local government, as well as, an officer and manager of a bank.

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.

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