Neville Blakemore
Neville Blakemore (Democratic Party) ran for election for Jefferson County Clerk in Kentucky. Blakemore lost in the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.
Blakemore was a Democratic candidate for Kentucky Treasurer in the 2015 elections. He filed his candidacy on January 22, 2015, but was defeated by Rick Nelson in the Democratic primary held on May 19, 2015.[1][2]
Biography
Blakemore has worked with Great Northern Building Products, LLC since 2004. He became chairman of the company in July 2013. Blakemore previously worked as senior consultant with The Law Firm Development Group, Inc. and director of marketing for Brown Rudnick LLP.[3]
Education
- B.A. in history, Macalester College (1991)
- MBA, Boston University School of Management (2003)[3]
Elections
2022
See also: City elections in Louisville, Kentucky (2022)
General election
General election for Jefferson County Clerk
Incumbent Barbara Holsclaw defeated Tina Ward-Pugh in the general election for Jefferson County Clerk on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Barbara Holsclaw (R) | 51.3 | 141,274 | |
 | Tina Ward-Pugh (D) | 48.6 | 133,928 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 171 | ||
| Total votes: 275,373 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Jefferson County Clerk
Tina Ward-Pugh defeated Neville Blakemore, Tenisha Smith, and Daniel A. Cobble in the Democratic primary for Jefferson County Clerk on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tina Ward-Pugh | 44.1 | 36,060 |
 | Neville Blakemore | 30.7 | 25,071 | |
| Tenisha Smith | 18.7 | 15,268 | ||
| Daniel A. Cobble | 6.6 | 5,391 | ||
| Total votes: 81,790 | |||
| = 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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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Jefferson County Clerk
Incumbent Barbara Holsclaw defeated Bob DeVore and Mark Wooten in the Republican primary for Jefferson County Clerk on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Barbara Holsclaw | 78.6 | 30,331 | |
 | Bob DeVore | 16.0 | 6,170 | |
 | Mark Wooten | 5.4 | 2,075 | |
| Total votes: 38,576 | |||
| = 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
Republican Allison Ball defeated Democrat Rick Nelson in the 2015 Kentucky Treasurer election.[4]
| 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 | ||||
Results
Primary
Blakemore was defeated by Rick Nelson in the Democratic primary held on May 19, 2015.[2]
| 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. | ||||
General election
Republican Allison Ball defeated Democrat Rick Nelson in the 2015 Kentucky Treasurer election.[5]
| 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 | ||||
Race background
Debate over necessity of treasurer's office
Term-limited incumbent Todd Hollenbach (D) and former Republican candidate Jon Larson publicly debated the responsibilities of the Kentucky state treasurer's office. Hollenbach argued that his office saved taxpayers $103.2 million over eight years through the state's investment commission and generated $86 million per year through involvement on the state's lottery board. He also pointed to the office's role in reconnecting unclaimed property with rightful owners in all 120 counties in Kentucky through public events.[6]
Larson suggested that the treasurer's duties could be transferred to the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, which already handled accounting of some state dollars. He countered Hollenbach's arguments about savings and revenue generation by noting that the cabinet could appoint other officials to these boards at lower costs. The treasurer's office had an annual budget of $3 million in 2015, representing the smallest financial impact of Kentucky's constitutional offices.[6]
There was a Republican led effort to abolish the treasurer's office. Melinda Wheeler, the 2007 Republican candidate for treasurer, lost to Hollenbach by 15% while campaigning on the abolition of the office. Larson previously sought to abolish the Fayette County judge executive's office, where he served from 2010 to 2014.[6]
Candidate survey
Ballotpedia sent a four-question survey to all filed candidates for the treasurer's election in 2015. This section gathered responses by candidates as they were submitted to the website.
Neville Blakemore
1. Why are you qualified to be the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
As a small business owner with over two decades of management experience, I know how to balance a checkbook and lead a team—this experience is critical when it comes to balancing Kentucky’s checkbook, managing unclaimed property and maximizing the efficiency of the office. The biggest opportunity for the next Treasurer to have an impact is through serving on seven key boards--including the Lottery, Teachers Retirement, Student Loan Corporation and State Investment Commission. These boards make real decisions about how we spend taxpayer dollars, and Kentuckians need a Treasurer to engage in these issues. My strong track record as a business leader and an active community board member gives me the tools to be a strong advocate and a fierce watchdog for Kentucky students, seniors, teachers and all taxpayers. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Melanie McCormick (2015)[8] | ||
2. What is the most important issue facing the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
Helping stabilize the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System is the critical challenge facing our next Treasurer. Protecting the commitments we’ve made to retired teachers while finding a sustainable path forward requires a Treasurer with extensive experience balancing a checkbook and meeting the fiscal responsibilities of a large organization. I will fight to protect both the teachers and taxpayers as we reform the system. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Melanie McCormick (2015)[8] | ||
3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your first term in office?
| “ |
The first priority for the Treasurer has to be managing the day to day responsibilities: balancing the checkbook and returning unclaimed property. I’ll do this in an effective, transparent way, giving Kentuckians honest answers about where their tax dollars go. The independently-elected Treasurer can and should be a watchdog and advocate on behalf of the people of Kentucky. Next, we must find a solution to our pension problems, and this starts with finding a path forward on teachers’ retirement. The Treasurer can’t do it alone, but I will work to find a real and lasting solution—and as an independently elected official, I’ll use the independent office and independent platform to bring people together and take action. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Melanie McCormick (2015)[8] | ||
4. Where do you stand on proposals to eliminate the treasurer's office?
| “ |
As your next Treasurer, I will certainly use technology to streamline the day-to-day duties of the office. More importantly, technology today can be used to enhance public awareness and ensure transparency. We should invest in fraud protection software and real time, public, online access to Kentucky’s checkbook so we can hold our leaders accountable for their spending decisions. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Melanie McCormick (2015)[8] | ||
Richard Henderson
1. Why are you qualified to be the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
I was mayor of Jeffersonville from 2003-2007. As mayor, I managed a $2 million dollar budget that included the water company, parks system, road system, senior citizens and economic development. I served as state representative from the 74th district including Montgomery, Powell and Wolfe counties from 2007-2014. I served on:
|
” |
| —Email with Richard Henderson (2015)[9] | ||
2. What is the most important issue facing the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
There are three very important issues facing the next state treasurer: Accountability of monies spent, serving on all boards looking out for the stakeholders and citizens first. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Richard Henderson (2015)[9] | ||
3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your first term in office?
| “ |
My plan is to set up permanent regional volunteer offices for unclaimed property and also add updated quarterly printouts of unclaimed property to send out to county office holders, city officials, state representatives, senators, civic groups and community activists in hopes of returning most if not all property to our citizens of this great commonwealth. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Richard Henderson (2015)[9] | ||
4. Where do you stand on proposals to eliminate the treasurer's office?
| “ |
The office of state treasurer should never be eliminated. This office gives a separation of powers within the executive branch of state government. If it is abolished then it would become a governor appointed position. Therefore not saving any money. It could also allow the unclaimed property be swept up by the executive or legislative budgets and used to fill in shortfalls in revenue instead of being returned to its rightful owners. Your future treasurer should fight for this position to remain a constitutional office. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Richard Henderson (2015)[9] | ||
Kenny Imes
1. Why are you qualified to be the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
I feel that I am the most qualified candidate for state Treasurer by virtue of both my integrity, experience and common sense in private business, public administration and legislative experience. I have owned and operated seven private companies and supervised and employed over 150 people. As a state cabinet deputy secretary and Commissioner I have supervised over 2,000 state employees and 11 divisions while at the same time basically serving as a CEO, a CFO and CAO of the cabinet all uniquely qualifying me to serve as the Commonwealth's Treasurer. In every instance the budget was balanced and the businesses were profitable. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Kenny Imes (2015)[10] | ||
2. What is the most important issue facing the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
There are really two important issues facing the next state Treasurer. One is the constitutional obligation to be the public's 'watchdog' over the state's treasury. The Treasurer should be constantly vigilant on behalf of the taxpayer and do everything in the power of the office to be as transparent and see that the public has eyes on where every tax dollar is spent. Second, the state Treasurer sits on the investment boards for all the state sponsored and backed pension systems. It is imperative that the Treasurer take an active role of leadership in that capacity and in concert with the General Assembly and the Finance Cabinet make much wiser investment decisions based on sound judgement, experience and common financial sense. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Kenny Imes (2015)[10] | ||
3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your first term in office?
| “ |
First of all I would show up for work and not be trying to use the office for political ladder climbing. I would bring 40+ years of private, public and legislative experience to the office for the benefit of all the citizens and taxpayers of Kentucky and provide a level of openness and transparency that has been so lacking heretofore. I will especially view with a critical eye the warrants issued for state checks especially those of a 'no-bid' or personal service contract nature. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Kenny Imes (2015)[10] | ||
4. Where do you stand on proposals to eliminate the treasurer's office?
| “ |
I am completely opposed to any and all efforts to abolish the office is state Treasurer. The Treasurer was put into the state's Constitution as the public's safeguard and watchdog over the public's monies and treasurey. The functions of the office would still have to be done and I can't foresee any savings in dollars or staffing requirements. I truly believe it is the public's best interest to have an elected Treasurer that keeps a check and balance within the Executive officers of the Commonwealth. The potential for abuse or corruption would be astronomically higher if the Treasurer's duties were placed under an appointee who would serve at the pleasure of a Governor rather than elected by the public. I really believe it is in the public interest that the Treasurer write the Governor's paycheck rather than the Governor's writing the Treasurer's paycheck. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Kenny Imes (2015)[10] | ||
Rick Nelson
1. Why are you qualified to be the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
I believe I am the most qualified because of my 15 year general assembly experience. Every two years we vote on multi-billion dollar budgets, and my 29 year career as a public school teacher gives me the experience to be able to manage employees and planning. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Rick Nelson (2015)[11] | ||
2. What is the most important issue facing the next Treasurer of Kentucky?
| “ |
The treasurer sits on the Kentucky Teachers Retirement Board that represents over 165,000 active and retired teachers. The system is now at 53% funded. Work needs to be done to address that situation. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Rick Nelson (2015)[11] | ||
3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your first term in office?
| “ |
Make sure that the office spends its budget wisely. I also plan on visiting each Kentucky high school to teach classes on financial literacy, which the treasurer office is responsible for. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Rick Nelson (2015)[11] | ||
4. Where do you stand on proposals to eliminate the treasurer's office?
| “ |
It would be a bad idea. If the governor appointed the treasurer they could order them to do as that governor wanted concerning money matters. The treasurer needs to be independent to be a watchdog for the taxpayers. [7] |
” |
| —Email with Rick Nelson (2015)[11] | ||
Campaign finance
First quarter report (2015)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $310,779.34 and spent a total of $140,706.65 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on May 5, 2015.[12]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
Neville Blakemore  |
Kentucky Treasurer | $195,315.84 | $136,056.50 | $92,991.29 | $238,381.05 |
| James Glenn, Jr. |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $70,751.42 | $11,687.58 | $59,063.84 |
Kenny Imes  |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $47,345.42 | $8,757.48 | $38,587.94 |
| Allison Ball |
Kentucky Treasurer | $17,071.16 | $23,330.00 | $8,896.64 | $31,504.52 |
| Daniel Grossberg |
Kentucky Treasurer | $1,872.61 | $20,311.00 | $12,733.00 | $9,450.61 |
| Jon Larson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $6,450.00 | $431.00 | $6,019.00 |
| Richard Henderson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $4,035.00 | $2,813.95 | $1,221.05 |
| Rick Nelson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $2,500.00 | $2,395.71 | $104.29 |
| Grand Total Raised | $310,779.34 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $140,706.65 | ||||
Fourth quarter report (2014)
Comprehensive donor information for this election was collected from the state's campaign finance authority. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $207,835.03 and spent a total of $11,482.7 during this reporting period. This information was last updated on January 25, 2015.[13]
| Campaign Contributions and Expenditures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Beginning balance | Contributions | Expenditures | Ending balance |
| Neville Blakemore |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $204,235.03 | $8,919.19 | $195,315.84 |
| Allison Ball |
Kentucky Treasurer | $17,682.31 | $1,600 | $2,210.55 | $17,071.76 |
| Daniel Grossberg |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $2,000 | $352.96 | $1,647.04 |
| Richard Henderson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| James Glenn, Jr. |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kenny Imes |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Jon Larson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rick Nelson |
Kentucky Treasurer | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Grand Total Raised | $207,835.03 | ||||
| Grand Total Spent | $11,482.7 | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Neville Blakemore did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2015
In announcing his candidacy on January 22, 2015, Blakemore made the following statement:
| “ |
My vision is to have a treasurer’s office that works for the working people of this state. The Treasurer should be a watchdog and advocate for financial standing of the state. It should be an independent office with an independent staff to hold public officials accountable on behalf of the people of Kentucky. I also plan to embrace new ideas and innovation that can make the office more efficient and effective. [7] |
” |
| —Neville Blakemore's campaign website, (2015) | ||
See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Information for Neville Blakemore, Candidate for State Treasurer," January 22, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kentucky State Board of Election, "Statewide results," accessed May 20, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 LinkedIn, "Neville Blakemore," accessed January 22, 2015
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Treasurer," accessed November 4, 2015
- ↑ Kentucky Secretary of State, "Treasurer," accessed November 4, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lexington Herald-Leader, "Kentucky state treasurer defends the office; candidate says it should be abolished," February 7, 2015
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Responses to survey sent to Ballotpedia by Melanie McCormick on April 29, 2015.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Responses to survey sent to Ballotpedia by Richard Henderson on April 27, 2015.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Responses to survey sent to Ballotpedia by Kenny Imes on March 4, 2015.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Responses to survey sent to Ballotpedia by Rick Nelson on April 17, 2015.
- ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 25, 2015
- ↑ Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, "Candidate Search Results," accessed January 25, 2015
- ↑ Neville Blakemore for Treasurer," January 22, 2015
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