Floyd County Demos seek new leader

The Courier-Journal’s Ben Zion Hershberg reports that veteran politico and former mayor Warren Nash, chairman of the Floyd County Democratic Party since 1993, won’t seek re-election to his post when the party meets next week.

The outgoing chairman assesses the current political balance of power:

“With the development of many higher-priced subdivisions near Charlestown Road and in Lafayette Township, Nash said the Republican Party has gained strength in Floyd County in the last 12 years.”

Indeed, portraits of Grover Norquist and James Dobson are most often seen displayed lovingly on the mantles of walled exurbians.

“But in New Albany, Nash said, ‘we're stronger than ever.’ Democrats hold all the city's elected offices except one seat on the City Council.”

How’s that for consolation? With some members of the current City Council vying publicly for the coveted title of “least read” New Albanian, it’s not the place to look for threads of progressive leadership … at least at until the more reasonable members of the body come to the fore.

However, Hershberg leaves us with an extremely hopeful factoid.

“So far, Nash said, the only person who has notified the party of his intention to seek the chairmanship is Randy Stumler, a member of the Floyd County Council.”

Although Randy may have disqualified himself for a party leadership role by daring to express a progressive vision for the city of New Albany, and at half Nash’s age would undoubtedly frighten the stodgier party pillars, the thought of a bona fide teacher manning the controls of Floyd County’s Democrats is a pleasant one.

Consider the indigestion it likely would induce in Dan “Wizard of Westside” Coffey’s Anti-Thought Gang. That alone would be worth the price of admission.

Nash says, 'It's time for new blood'; Top Democrat in Floyd to step down, by Ben Zion Hershberg of the Courier-Journal.