LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky treasurer Todd Hollenbach easily won the Democratic primary over western Kentucky businessman Steve Hamrick on Tuesday.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Hollenbach had 105,913 votes, or 71 percent, to Hamrick's 43,292 votes, or 29 percent.
Hamrick, a retired Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister, twice ran unsuccessfully for Congress in western Kentucky in the early 1990s.
"I know it was a light turnout statewide, but I think when you don't have as much interest, the people who vote are the ones paying the most attention," Hollenbach said Tuesday night. "I'm very gratified that people paying attention decided to support my candidacy."
Hamrick had hoped to collect votes in rural areas to counter Hollenbach's strong base in his hometown of Louisville.
Hollenbach, 50, will face Lexington councilwoman KC Crosbie, an unopposed Republican, and possibly Libertarian Ken Moellman of Caddo in the fall election. Crosbie has said she would place an emphasis on increasing the office's educational programs if elected.
Hollenbach was first elected to the post in 2007 and said since taking office he has run the most cost-effective agency in state government.
"I say that intentionally to be provocative because I want people to challenge me on it, because we can back it up with verifiable, measurable figures," he said.
The treasurer serves as the state's top financial officer, and the position pays $110,000 annually. Hollenbach said his office, with 32 employees and a budget of $2.8 million, balances a checkbook that handles about 10 million checks and 7 million electronic bank transfers each year.
The office's General Fund allocation has shrunk by some 25 percent since Hollenbach took office, and unlike other state offices, Hollenbach doesn't have a press aide. He also dropped a $50,000-a-year legal services contract and a custodial contract. He says he and his office staff sweep the floors and take out the trash.
Moellman, former head of the Kentucky Libertarian Party, is collecting signatures to get on the November ballot.