Kentucky Democrats

Herald-Leader Editorial: Worthy Honoree

Herald Leader
Editorial: Worthy Honoree
October 28, 2009
http://www.kentucky.com/editorials/story/995175.html

If you've paid attention to Crit Luallen's 35-year career in Kentucky government, you know a few things about her.

You know she's experienced and knowledgeable. You know she's talented and extremely capable. Most of all, though, you know she is the consummate professional.

A non-elected public servant for much of her career, Luallen's election and subsequent re-election to the office of state auditor of public accounts and her consideration of running for governor (2007) or U.S. senator (2010) moved her into the category of partisan politician.

But she hasn't let that change of status define her performance in the office she occupies now, an office charged with ensuring that the public's tax dollars aren't misused through waste, fraud or abuse.

Crit Luallen the elected official is the same Crit Luallen who spent all those years serving other elected officials behind the scenes — a professional public servant who does her job and does it well, without regard for the petty partisan politics practiced by too many elected officials at all levels of government.

That record has earned her recognition from Governing Magazine as one of 2009's Public Officials of the Year.

The magazine that focuses on state and local government cited her for having "successfully fought corruption and fiscal mismanagement" and for her "35-year career as a versatile problem-solver in state government."

It is a well-deserved honor for someone whose career has embodied "public service" in the best sense of the phrase.