Jonathan Miller (politician)
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Miller is a politician
from the Commonwealth of Kentucky currently serving as Secretary for the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, assuming that post in December, 2007. Prior to this appointment, Miller served as Kentucky State Treasurer
from 1999 to 2007.
, Miller graduated from Henry Clay High School and Harvard College and Law School. Jonathan is married to Lisa Miller, and he has two daughters: Emily, who is a senior in high school, and Abigail, who is a sophomore in high school.
was running for President. He later worked for Gore when he was Vice President
in the Clinton Administration. He first campaigned for elected office in 1998, losing a primary bid for Kentucky's 6th congressional district
to Ernesto Scorsone
. In 1999 he was elected State Treasurer
and was re-elected in 2003.
with Jefferson
County Attorney
Irv Maze
as his running mate. On May 7, 2007, a campaign spokesperson announced that Miller would drop out of the race and endorse the campaign of Steve Beshear
.
and Dan Mongiardo. Miller said, "The odds are if I stayed in the race that there was a real possibility that the Democratic primary could produce a nominee who was unelectable in the fall — a nominee whose baggage would be picked apart and exploited."
appointed Miller to the position of Secretary for the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Miller stated he would resign as State Treasurer as well as Chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party
when the appointment takes effect.
On March 5 Miller's campaign unveiled a plan to bring universal healthcare to Kentucky and heavily fund cancer research and treatment within his first term in recognition of Kentucky's high prevalence of cancer. Funding would have come through "expanded gaming, cost-savings realized through reforms, and cutting waste and abuse in the state's Medicaid system by streamlining bureaucracy... Building coalitions of government agencies, private business, civic groups and faith-based programs will also be critical."
certification for all future government buildings.
. It was analogous to a savings bank account in which the state would make an investment, with the opportunity for relatives or outside companies to make contributions to specific students. It would have required the student to later pay back the state via community or military service.
bill reform, stating that Miller and Maze would have introduced a full minimum wage increase that would be implemented within the first 100 days of governorship.
) values, and how they relate to politics. Former vice-president Al Gore
wrote the foreword. The book received positive reviews from senators such as Evan Bayh
and Joe Lieberman
as well as many religious leaders.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from the Commonwealth of Kentucky currently serving as Secretary for the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, assuming that post in December, 2007. Prior to this appointment, Miller served as Kentucky State Treasurer
Kentucky State Treasurer
The Kentucky State Treasurer is elected every 4 years. The treasurer, who can serve two terms, acts as the state's chief elected fiscal officer. The salary of the state treasurer is $110,000 a year...
from 1999 to 2007.
Biography
From LexingtonLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, Miller graduated from Henry Clay High School and Harvard College and Law School. Jonathan is married to Lisa Miller, and he has two daughters: Emily, who is a senior in high school, and Abigail, who is a sophomore in high school.
Early political career
Miller began his career in politics while in college by serving as the national director of Students for Gore in 1988 when then-senator Al GoreAl Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
was running for President. He later worked for Gore when he was Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
in the Clinton Administration. He first campaigned for elected office in 1998, losing a primary bid for Kentucky's 6th congressional district
Kentucky's 6th congressional district
Kentucky's 6th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Based in Central Kentucky, the district contains the cities of Lexington , Richmond, and Frankfort, the state capital....
to Ernesto Scorsone
Ernesto Scorsone
Ernesto Scorsone is an American lawyer, politician and judge from Kentucky. A Democrat, he was appointed to the Fayette County Circuit Court on August 7, 2008 by Governor Steve Beshear...
. In 1999 he was elected State Treasurer
Kentucky State Treasurer
The Kentucky State Treasurer is elected every 4 years. The treasurer, who can serve two terms, acts as the state's chief elected fiscal officer. The salary of the state treasurer is $110,000 a year...
and was re-elected in 2003.
Kentucky gubernatorial run
On December 14, 2006, Miller announced his intentions to run for Governor of KentuckyGovernor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
with Jefferson
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
County Attorney
County attorney
A county attorney in many areas of the United States is the chief legal officer for a county or local judicial district. It is usually an elected position...
Irv Maze
Irv Maze
Irv Maze is a Circuit Court Judge in Jefferson County, Kentucky who was previously elected to three terms as County Attorney.Maze graduated from Indiana University in 1972 and University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law in 1975...
as his running mate. On May 7, 2007, a campaign spokesperson announced that Miller would drop out of the race and endorse the campaign of Steve Beshear
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
.
Sideburns challenge
Raising a few eyebrows, a fundraising method for Miller's campaign has been dubbed "The Great Sideburns Debate", which was begun due to an article by John David Dyche of the Louisville Courier-Journal that stated, "Treasurer Jonathan Miller sports perhaps the longest sideburns on a gubernatorial candidate since the Seventies...the 1870s." Miller's campaign shot back calling it, "The lowest blow in political history", and saying Dyche 'hit' Miller, "where it hurts the most. ..his sideburns." In response Miller's campaign invited donations of $18.70 and $19.70, for whichever era of sideburns the donor preferred.Campaign finance disclosure
On February 23 the Miller-Maze campaign revealed their campaign finance summary 90 days prior to the primary, and nearly two months prior to the mandated 32-day mark currently set for the first financial disclosure deadline in the race. This was in accordance with an earlier pledge to disclose finances at the 90 and 60-day mark and to strive for transparent governance.Video blog
On March 2 Miller's campaign unveiled a video blog on their campaign website becoming the only campaign in the race to do so.Dropping out
On May 7, 2007 Miller announced he was dropping out of the race for governor. Polls had consistently showed his name recognition had remained low and he was running well behind other candidates. Miller and his running mate held a press conference and endorsed the slate of Steve BeshearSteve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
and Dan Mongiardo. Miller said, "The odds are if I stayed in the race that there was a real possibility that the Democratic primary could produce a nominee who was unelectable in the fall — a nominee whose baggage would be picked apart and exploited."
Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary
On November 10, 2007, Governor-elect Steve BeshearSteve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
appointed Miller to the position of Secretary for the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Miller stated he would resign as State Treasurer as well as Chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party
Kentucky Democratic Party
The Kentucky Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, USA. The party Chairman is Daniel Logsdon, Jr., Party Vice-Chair is Susie Watkins, and David Tandy is Treasurer...
when the appointment takes effect.
Political views and advocacy
Miller set out some general issues he planned to take on if he had been elected governor.Health care
The Miller-Maze campaign advocated incentives for use of biotechnology, especially in farm crops. They also advocated the use of e-health initiatives to assist in reducing medical mistakes and reducing unnecessary testing in hospitals by requiring a card carrying all patient information.On March 5 Miller's campaign unveiled a plan to bring universal healthcare to Kentucky and heavily fund cancer research and treatment within his first term in recognition of Kentucky's high prevalence of cancer. Funding would have come through "expanded gaming, cost-savings realized through reforms, and cutting waste and abuse in the state's Medicaid system by streamlining bureaucracy... Building coalitions of government agencies, private business, civic groups and faith-based programs will also be critical."
Environment
Miller stated he would make Kentucky the "clean energy capital of the world through the development of zero-emissions clean coal and bio-fuel technologies to harness energy from Kentucky agriculture and natural resources." He was also critical of Mountain top removal, a common and controversial coal-mining method in Eastern Kentucky, and had called for its reform. He has also advocated LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certification for all future government buildings.
Education
Miller advocated a program entitled Cradle to College which he has supported with Republican Secretary of State Trey GraysonTrey Grayson
Charles Merwin "Trey" Grayson III is the director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, a former Secretary of State of Kentucky and a candidate in the 2010 GOP primary to replace Jim Bunning, losing to Rand Paul.-Early years and career:A product of the Kenton County public school...
. It was analogous to a savings bank account in which the state would make an investment, with the opportunity for relatives or outside companies to make contributions to specific students. It would have required the student to later pay back the state via community or military service.
Labor
On February 16, 2007 the Miller-Maze campaign sent a letter to major labor leaders lambasting legislators for 'stripping down' a major minimum wageMinimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
bill reform, stating that Miller and Maze would have introduced a full minimum wage increase that would be implemented within the first 100 days of governorship.
Books authored
Miller authored the book The Compassionate Community (ISBN 140397408X), which examines religious (particularly Judeo-ChristianJudeo-Christian
Judeo-Christian is a term used in the United States since the 1940s to refer to standards of ethics said to be held in common by Judaism and Christianity, for example the Ten Commandments...
) values, and how they relate to politics. Former vice-president Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
wrote the foreword. The book received positive reviews from senators such as Evan Bayh
Evan Bayh
Birch Evans "Evan" Bayh III is a lawyer, advisor and former Democratic politician who served as the junior U.S. Senator from Indiana from 1999 to 2011. He earlier served as the 46th Governor of Indiana from 1989 to 1997. Bayh is a current Fox News contributor as of March 14, 2011.Bayh first held...
and Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
as well as many religious leaders.
External links
- Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Website
- Follow the Money - Jonathan Miller 2003 campaign contributions
- Vote Smart Project - Jonathan S. Miller (KY) profile
- http://reformjudaismmag.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1242 Profile of Miller in "The Road to Reform Commitment" Reform Judaism Magazine Summer 2007